LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A man found guilty of murdering his wife and a bystander at a New Albany gas station last year has learned his sentence.

A jury found Cherok Douglass guilty of two counts of murder, attempted murder and robbery in August. He was sentenced Wednesday to 240 years -- the maximum -- for all of the charges against him, including two counts of murder, attempted murder, robbery and kidnapping.

The sentence was handed down by Judge Carrie Stiller in Floyd Superior Court 1 in New Albany.

The sentencing hearing started at 8:30 a.m., and was still under way several hours later as family members of the victims made statements. 

The shootings happened at a gas station last year at a New Albany Circle K near the intersection of Beechwood Avenue and Grant Line Road. That's where police found Douglass's wife, Brandee Douglass and a bystander -- Lorin Yelle -- shot to death.

DOUGLASS MURDER CONVICTION

FILE -- Pictured: New Albany Police at the scene of a double homicide at the Circle K gas station near the intersection of Beechwood Avenue and Grant Line Road in New Albany, Ind., on April 4, 2022. (WDRB/archive)

After the shooting Douglass left the scene in a red SUV, then ran into the Onion Restaurant and Tea House on Charlestown Road. That's where where he took where he took Richard Wen's wife as a hostage, forcing her into a silver SUV. Police said the woman fell from the vehicle and was injured. 

During Wednesday's hearing, Brandee's mother said "Brandee was the glue that held the family together, and was everyone's friend."

Brittany Linne, Brandee's best friend, was there when the jury found Douglass guilty. She said hearing the testimony was heartbreaking, and she hopes Douglass gets the maximum sentence.  

"It was very nerve-wracking, very anxious, I didn't know what was going to be the outcome," Linne said. "It was heartbreaking, to have to sit there and listen to the witnesses. Explaining how my best friend died and then to have to see the video from Circle K."

She called Douglass a "monster" and said the public is safer now that he is off the streets. 

"I hope he never sees the light of day," Linne said. "I hope he gets everything he deserves."

Douglass could be sentenced to life in prison. 

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