MOUNT CLEMENS, Michigan — A woman convicted of killing a suburban Detroit man and his pregnant wife with the help of her former boyfriend was sentenced yesterday to life in prison without parole.Samantha Bachynski, 20, was accused along with Patrick Selepak in the February killings of Scott and Melissa Berels. She was convicted last month of first-degree murder, home invasion, aiding and abetting, and other charges.

As he sentenced her to four life terms, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Richard Caretti told Bachynski that her actions were “beyond all bounds of human behaviour.”

Raymond Berels, Scott Berels’ father, addressed the court before the sentencing, and provided a graphic account of the last moments of the lives of his son and daughter-in-law, which included a vicious beating with the butt of a rifle and Bachynski injecting bleach into Scott Berels with a hypodermic needle.

Raymond Berels said he wished the death penalty was an option in Michigan.

“It’s too bad that a mere matter of geography has saved her from a far different fate. Regrettably, we the taxpayers of the state of Michigan will have the burden of housing, clothing and feeding this parasite for the rest of her life,” Berels said.

Bachynski sobbed loudly throughout the proceeding. When given the opportunity to address the court, she blamed her fear of Selepak for her role in the killings.

“All I wanted to do is to go, but I was too scared to do it, and no one seems to understand that,” she said.

“I never wanted those people to die,” she said.

Prosecutors have said Bachynski chose to help her 27-year-old boyfriend kill the Berelses, both 27, in their home. He pleaded guilty in July and is serving life without parole.

Bachynski had testified that Selepak had told her he or someone else would kill her and her family unless she helped him. That account differed from an earlier, taped confession she gave to police.

Selepak was subpoenaed to testify for her defence but refused to take an oath to tell the truth and never testified.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Sara Katsavrias, Scott Berels’ mother, said Bachynski stole her son, daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild from the family.

“You are truly pitiful,” Katsavrias said. “How could you have thought your so-called fiance really cared about you? He didn’t. He was only using you. What a fool you were and still are.”

Katsavrias added: “I hope a little of you dies every day you are locked in your cell.”

Bachynski also faces trial on first-degree murder and other charges in the death of Winfield Johnson Jr., 53. He had befriended Selepak and Bachynski at a bar and invited them to stay at his house, then was killed February 21 after learning they were being sought in the Berelses’ deaths six days earlier.

After Johnson was killed, authorities say, the couple stole his pickup truck and drove to visit a friend in Owosso, where they were captured. Johnson’s body was found in the back of the truck.

Bachynski’s trial in Johnson’s death is scheduled to begin December 5.

Selepak was mistakenly released from prison January 10 and became engaged to Bachynski that day.

The case led to widespread criticism of Michigan parole officials who allowed Selepak to remain free despite a domestic violence complaint against him. Several parole workers were disciplined and state rules tightened.