Man convicted in murder of beloved Racine bartender sentenced to life in prison

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A former roommate of a beloved Racine bartender who shot her over a dozen times in her home is going to prison for life, without the possibility of parole.

The judge called this case the essence of evil versus good, saying since Becky Rannow can never see the light of day again, neither will her killer.

"And that will be without any eligibility for extended supervision," said Racine County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Boyle.

Overwhelming emotions in a packed courtroom as Judge Boyle handed the maximum sentence to Montreal Greer.

The 40-year-old knew the victim's boyfriend and the two had allowed him to stay in their home at Edgewood and St. Patrick for a short time.

"Becky was a sweetheart. She helped anybody, was always there for anybody," said Peggy Nielsen, Becky's aunt and godmother.

A jury found Greer guilty on all counts, but at the sentencing, Greer said he had no ill will for Becky.

"First and foremost, I didn't do this," said Greer.

"Couldn't point the finger at anybody else, no matter how hard he tried, and he tried today, he really tried to point the finger at somebody else," said Tony Rannow, Becky's brother.

Greer is separately fighting charges for a fight that happened while he's been behind bars, for allegedly biting off an inmate's ear.

"I ain't killed nothing," said Greer, to which someone in the courtroom responded out loud, "You just like biting ears."

Greer replied, "Yeah, I'll bite an ear now. I play fair in a fight."

Prosecutors say Becky Rannow had 17 bullet wounds. Her Pitbull was locked in a room. Friends discovered her dead when she didn't show up for work. 

At Junction Pub and Grill, regular customers are remembering the beloved bartender. Her name is now painted on the wall.

Family feeling her spirit, especially now. Someone gave Becky's brother a shirt for his birthday, which happened to be the day of sentencing.

"And I said, 'Oh my God, so Amanda somehow used the same quote that my sister tagged me once on Facebook with and put it on this shirt for me today,'" said Tony Rannow.

Knowing Greer will be behind bars for the rest of his life -- it's justice for Becky. 

"It's like her last birthday present to me I guess, to know that the person who hurt her can't hurt anybody else," said Tony Rannow.

Greer is due back in court Nov. 10 to address the charges of battery to prisoners and mayhem. But for family and friends of Rannow, this was a victory.