Convicted Murderer Kills Child Molester Cellmate With His Own Shoelaces

Steven Sandison was already serving life for murder when his cellmate wouldn't stop bragging about sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl.

So he killed him with the man's own shoelaces.

Sandison was housed at Saginaw Correctional Facility with 67-year-old Theodore Dyer, who had been convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a child in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Dyer repeatedly talked about his crimes, describing what he had done to the little girl next door.

The Attack

On October 29, Sandison decided he had heard enough.

He punched Dyer in the face multiple times until Dyer fell unconscious, then wrapped Dyer's own shoelaces around his neck and strangled him.

During his confession, Sandison explained that Dyer was bigger than him, so he had to hit him repeatedly before he could use the makeshift weapon.

The Victim's Story

Dyer had been convicted for assaulting his 9-year-old neighbor in Grand Haven.

The victim's mother had moved into an apartment next to Dyer in April 2012, and caught him assaulting her daughter.

At trial, the 9-year-old testified while hugging a stuffed animal, and the jury took only 10 minutes to convict Dyer.

No Remorse

Sandison pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in February.

During his guilty plea, he said "People think I'm some kind of hero, when I'm actually not. I just did what I thought was best in the time I was given."

At sentencing, he showed no regret: "I don't feel bad for what I did. I feel bad for maybe his family or something, but as far as remorse toward him, no."

Sandison was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole and transferred to a high-security unit at Ionia Correctional Facility.

He had already been serving life without parole for strangling his girlfriend in 1991.