A Sissonville man found guilty in the death of a woman whose body was dumped in a well received his prison sentence Tuesday.
A judge sentenced Michael Wayne Smith, 46, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years under the state’s recidivist trial. He also received 40 years for second-degree murder, one to five years for concealing a body, five years for illegal possession of a firearm and two to 10 years for assault in connection with the 2021 death of Cheyenne Johnson.
The sentencing followed a December recidivist trial in which Kanawha County prosecutors proved Smith was a repeat offender in an effort to secure a harsher penalty.
During that trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Smith had prior convictions for aggravated robbery in April 1998, first-degree robbery in January 2004 and possession with intent to deliver in November 2021.
A jury originally found Smith guilty of Johnson’s death and the additional charges during a trial in October.
Authorities discovered Johnson’s body in a deep well in Sissonville in May 2021 after she was reported missing in April. She suffered more than a dozen cuts, believed to be stab wounds, and had also been shot in the head.
Virginia Smith, who is not related to Michael Smith but was reportedly in a relationship with him at the time, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in February 2023 in connection with the case. She testified at trial that she shot Johnson after Smith told her to and said she had changed her account because she was under the influence of drugs at the time.
During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Michael Smith referred to the prosecutor as an “idiot” and mocked the judge during multiple outbursts, leading officials to increase security in the courtroom. He indicated that he plans to appeal the sentence.