Ramones Manager's Killer Sentenced to 25 Years

The woman convicted for murdering former Ramones manager Linda Stein was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the crime yesterday at a New York courthouse. As Rolling Stone previously reported, Stein's assistant Natavia Lowery was found guilty of bludgeoning Stein to death in October 2007 after a confrontation during which Stein accused Lowery of stealing. The judge also issued maximum penalties for convictions on larceny, forgery and identity theft charges to be served after Lowery's murder stint. Considering the judge recommended no parole, Lowery could spend a minimum of 27 years behind bars, the New York Times reports.

"Miss Lowery acted with an uncommon and almost inhuman degree of coolness and calculation, fully justifying the jury's conclusion that she took the life of Linda Stein intentionally," state Supreme Court Justice Richard Carruthers said during the sentencing. Stein's two daughters also addressed the court before the judge announced Lowery's sentence. "You are a disgusting person," Samantha Stein-Wells said to Lowery, and Mandy Stein added, "Because of Ms. Lowery's brutal, violent and inhumane behavior, my life has changed forever." Linda Stein, whose ex-husband was Rock and Roll Hall of Fame record executive Seymour Stein, served as the Ramones' co-manager at the beginning of the legendary punk group's career. Stein later became a real estate agent for prominent stars.

Lowery's new lawyer Paul Brenner promised to appeal the guilty verdict, saying that a videotaped confession to police where Lowery admitted she had killed Stein should not have been allowed as evidence during the trial (Lowery later recanted the confession). "We are confident that, when all the issues are raised on appeal, Ms. Lowery will be cleared of these horrendous charges," Brenner said. Before being sentenced, Lowery maintained her innocence to the court and accused the judge of giving her an unfair trial.

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