FORMER MONESSEN MAN RE-SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

A former Monessen man was re-sentenced to life in prison for the murder of two children in 1973 on Friday.  The Trib reports that 69-year-old John Veltre has been in jail for the last 52 years for the killing of 2-year-old Sandra Dee Morgan and 3-month old sister Tina along with the rape of their mother in 1973.  The former Monessen man pleaded guilty in 1973 and was later convicted again following a trial in 1978 that resulted in his being sentenced to life in prison without parole for murder and an additional seven to 14 years behind bars for rape.  The new hearing was at Veltre’s request, hoping a new sentence would allow him to be paroled.  Judge Michael Stewart II said the crime was so heinous that it could not be overlooked, and he had to protect the victim and the public.