Cold case murderer sentenced to life in prison

Life without parole was the sentence handed down Friday to Robert Baillie.

He’s convicted of killing Janet Conrad on Dec. 3, 1976.

She was found strangled to death in a laundry room on the tenth floor.

Conrad was a hotel maid at the then-Antlers Plaza Hotel.

Baillie’s sentence brings her family the final closure.

“Peace within the heart, that’s what I felt,” said Ronnie French, Conrad’s son.

“Thankful to the Lord that this time has finally come,” said Ray French, Conrad’s son.

After spending years wondering who killed their mother and why, Janet’s kids expressed their grief, frustration, but also forgiveness to Baillie during the sentencing hearing.

“It’s difficult to forgive, but it’s only through that strength from within from the Lord to be able to forgive, and we have forgiven knowing that he will still be serving that time,” Ray French said.

The case was finally solved when police received a grant to look into cold cases back in 2009. New DNA evidence was discovered and combined with police testimonies, a conviction was made.

“Police officers who worked on that case, where are they? Everyone’s spread out. Jogging memories, what do people remember what do they not remember?” said Jennifer Viehman, prosecuting attorney.

It’s a conviction that answered nearly four decades of questions.

“I believe my mom’s in heaven, and one of these days I’ll be seeing her again,” Ronnie French said.

Baillie’s lawyer says he will file an appeal on Monday.

Baillie is already behind bars for a sexual assault conviction and will serve his murder sentence consecutively.