Tewana Sullivan, 51, was sentenced to 23-50 years in prison for beating Cheryl Livy, 66, at the victim’s apartment in Livonia on October 22.
Following the attack, the police were called to the victim’s apartment where they discovered her on the ground, and Sullivan nearby, overlaid in blood.
Livy was taken to the hospital where she later died.
According to media reports, defense attorney John McWilliams said, “One was for one major political party and the other was for the other major political party.”
He also added that Sullivan’s blood-alcohol level was 0.41 at the time of the attack.
Additionally, Sullivan, who also has a history of bipolar disorder said she had not taken her medication for several days prior to the incident. However, after being assessed, she was declared competent to stand trial.
Subsequently, Sullivan struck a plea deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder a few days before a jury trial was slated to commence.
On Monday when Sullivan appeared before Circuit Judge Michael Hathaway for sentencing, she lamented her fate, saying, “You might as well go ahead and execute me, because I’m not going to make it to 73…I’m going to die in jail, as far as I’m concerned.”
During her prison sentence Sullivan will receive mental health care.
