Milwaukee man sentenced to 45 years in prison in Emily Rogers murder
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man found guilty of killing Emily Rogers-his girlfriend and the mother of his child- back in 2022, was sentenced to 45 years in prison and 25 years of extended supervision.
Just a week shy of the three-year anniversary of when she was first reported missing, 38-year-old Nicholas Matzen was sentenced in court, Thursday afternoon.
Rogers’ parents appeared via zoom to give their statements before Matzen was sentenced. They told the courtroom Rogers' daughter will now have to grow up every day, knowing what Matzen did to her mom.
“You put yourself in this situation and you can live with the consequences,” said Terry Rogers, Emily Rogers’ dad. “My granddaughter will know what you did to her mother.”
Matzen was charged with first degree reckless homicide and hiding a corpse in connection to the death of his girlfriend and mother of their child, 23-year-old Rogers.
Rogers’ body was found in a wooded area in St. Francis. In March, after a week-long trial, a jury found Matzen guilty on both counts after hearing testimonies form several witnesses, including the man who helped Matzen hide Rogers’ body.
“This murder was simply so gruesome,” said Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flaherty.
Matzen also wrote a letter to his daughter expressing remorse for killing her mother but denied everything on the stand.
“You confessed, in part, so many times -- the calls and letters. The audacity you had to take the stand and lie,” said Milwaukee County Judge Laura Crivello.
Matzen also spoke at the sentencing, stating he is working on an appeals process.
Judge Crivello said Rogers was only 23 when she was killed – her whole world, just beginning.
At the sentencing, Rogers' parents told the courtroom and Matzen this is the closest thing to justice their daughter will get.
“I hope you spend the rest of your life in a living nightmare. I hope you’re haunted every day and night about what you did,” said Terry Rogers.
“Unlike Terry, I don’t believe justice will ever be served, but this is the closest we could get,” said Ammie Lyde, Emily’s mother.