Mark Casterman and his attorney Horia Neagos. The victim’s mother, Eva Villareal, is pictured to the right, weeping.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — Tensions ran high during a sentencing hearing in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, June 17, for a 60-year-old Grand Rapids man who ran over his wife with a car and killed her in 2023.
Mark Lazon Casterman was sentenced to 15 to 50 years in prison Tuesday. Casterman pleaded “no contest,” May 2, 2025 to second-degree murder.
Family members of the victim in the case, 45-year-old Melissa Casterman-Medacco, appeared in court seated behind the prosecution table. Casterman’s family was seated behind the defense table.
Melissa Casterman-Medacco’s sister, Mary Medacco, addresses the court.
An argument during a ride home from the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee County led to the death of Melissa Casterman-Medacco, who was run over by a car driven by her husband of 16 years on Sept. 15, 2023 on US 31 near Freeman Road in Free Soil Township.
“His jealousy took her away from me,” said Melissa’s mother Eva Villareal as she addressed the court.
Melissa Casterman-Medacco’s mother, Eva Villareal, addresses the court as Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand provides support for the grieving mother.
“My sister was going to leave Mark Casterman — that is why this happened,” said Melissa’s sister Mary Medacco. “You’re a terrible person, Mark.”
“I just want to say that I’m sorry,” said Casterman, appearing visibly upset. “I never intentionally tried to do this. I am sorry to the Medcco family, and I am sorry to my family, too.”
A heavy police presence was in the courtroom for the hearing.
“The family is satisfied with the agreement of 15 years,” said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand. “They didn’t want the mother to undergo the stress of a trial.”
Casterman’s blood alcohol content was .209 at the time of the murder, said Prosecutor Hand. Video surveillance from the Little River Casino Resort showed an intoxicated Casterman unable to walk in a straight line in the parking lot and pulling a cooler. “She was sober and had no alcohol in her system and was driving initially.” When Melissa exited the car, “she was attempting to distance herself from the defendant. This was not an OUIL (operating under the influence of liquor) causing death — it was a homicide.”
“I still believe it as an accident and OUIL causing death,” said Casterman’s attorney Horia Neagos. “This was certainly a ‘triable’ case.” Video evidence showed Casterman trying to resuscitate his wife. “Is that what a murderer looks like?” he asked, as Melissa’s family members said “yes.”
“His family is here supporting him,” said the defense attorney. “This is a horrific tragedy — my heart goes out to everyone here in this courtroom.”
Casterman has one prior felony conviction and 11 misdemeanors, said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “The prior record shows a number of alcohol-related offenses, domestic violence and a felonious assault.”
“When I see a number like 15 years on a homicide case, it doesn’t seem like much,” said the judge. “When I compare that with the age of Mr. Casterman, it does lead to a different conclusion that this could in fact be a life sentence for Mr. Casterman.”
Casterman, who has been lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $1 million cash/surety bond since the murder, received credit for 642 days served in jail.
Casterman was initially charged with homicide – open murder, which is punishable by up to life in prison, along with charges of operating while intoxicated causing death, operating while license suspended causing death and third-offense operating while intoxicated.
Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole previously said Casterman-Medacco was killed instantly and declared dead at the scene.
Former Prosecutor Lauren Kreinbrink said that “the fight, the anger and the drinking led to the crash” during the Dec. 6, 2023 preliminary examination in Mason County’s 79th District Court.
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