Deerfield Beach

Man Sentenced for 1986 Murder of Angela Savage

The suspect was sentenced Thursday in the 1986 murder of Angela Savage.

It was one of Broward County's longest unsolved murders.

But after 29 years, the man deputies said strangled Angela Savage and dumped her body on the side of the road was sentenced for her death.

Gary Troutman pleaded guilty to killing Savage in 1986 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Her brothers had harsh words for their sister's killer.

"He's the devil, Satan, that's what he is and he doesn't deserve to live among decent human beings," said Wayne Adams.

"He's a monster. He's a terrorist. He's a murderer. He's a serial killer. I hope he never sees the light of day again," said Darrel Adams.

Troutman, his family, and Savage's family were very friendly back in the 1980s, living in the same neighborhood in Deerfield Beach.

Troutman has already served a lengthy prison term for killing a 17-year-old childhood acquaintance, also in 1986, just weeks before murdering Savage.

Police found her body strangled on a road in Deerfield Beach. DNA connected Troutman to Savage's death.

Arrested in 2007, he's been playing the justice system since then.

"I guess he stretched the concept of due process of law to an unreasonable level. He went through about 16 attorneys," explained Brian Cavanagh, Assistant State Attorney.

Savage's family brought newspaper articles to court, recounting the murder.

These were the words from the victim's father after court on Thursday: "It's been a long road. It's been tough on our family but it's something we can put behind us now."

"I try to live a better life now. I know I can't bring her back but I feel better," said Savage's mother, Josephine Adams.

Troutman sat stone-faced in court showing no emotion. He decided against making a statement to Savage's family.

NBC 6 asked his attorney why not.

"We had discussed it, didn't want things to get out of hand. He knows that the family was hurting and there is nothing that he could say to make things better," said Jeff Glass, defendant's attorney.

Troutman pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder on Thursday. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Troutman has already served eight years behind bars. With good behavior, he'll likely serve another 18 years.

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