South Jersey Man Sentenced To 55 Years In Killings Of Woman, Child

By Cleve Bryan

MAYS LANDING, N.J., (CBS) -- An Egg Harbor City man was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to the killings of his girlfriend and her seven-year-old son.

Authorities say in November 2014 Joseph Palmer beat and stabbed his girlfriend Michelle Heist Pabst then turned the knife on her son Gavin.

He lit the home they shared on fire in an attempt to hide the killings and told police they were all victims of a home invasion.

Police charged Palmer with two counts of murder and he later pleaded guilty to one count of murder as well as aggravated manslaughter.

Before receiving his sentence of 55 years in prison Michelle and Gavin's family addressed Palmer and the judge.

"The rage you directed toward to a seven-year-old child is inhumane, it is an act of a coward," said Gavin's father John Pabst.

In memory of Michelle and Gavin, family started a scholarship and are donating money to the Women's Center of Atlantic County to help other victims of domestic violence.

To give or attend future events for the charity Hearts and Harleys go to heartsandharleys.org.