VIDEOS: STAHLI GETS 25-TO-LIFE FOR MASON'S MURDER

KINGSTON – Kenneth Stahli was sentenced to 25 years to life by Ulster County Court by Judge Donald Williams on Thursday.

Stahli, 27, was convicted on May 8 of second-degree murder, depraved indifference murder of a child, in the death of 2-year-old Mason DeCosmo. A jury ruled that Stahli, who was dating and living with Mason's mother Katlin Wolfert in a Milton trailer, beat the toddler to death over a period of time.

Mason died Aug. 5, covered in nearly 70 bruises — some older, some new — and internal injuries, with traces of heroin found in his bile and his pancreas cut in two.

"I have to admit at first, I didn't see a child murderer," Williams told Stahli. "That opinion changed rather quickly. The proof of your guilt was overwhelming."

Over a 10-day-period, "you ruthlessly, savagely, beat Mason DeCosmo to death," Williams said. "That this assault, this murder, could have have been permitted by others is beyond this court's comprehension."

But the district attorney, not Williams, makes "the decisions of who appears in front of me," Williams added. "Others will be judged by an authority much higher than this court. You have the unfortunate experience of being sentenced by me today."

Williams imposed the maximum sentence -- 25 years to life -- and fine of $100,000 on Stahli.

"We're grateful that he imposed that sentence," said District Attorney Holley Carnright.

But "not everyone who is responsible for Mason's death was presented before the court," said Stahli's public defender MariAnn Connolly, just before Williams imposed Stahli's sentence. There was enough evidence to convict Wolfert "of criminally negligent homicide...as well as reckless manslaughter."

There was also "no room for compromise" when it came to what charges Stahli could be found guilty of, Connolly said.

Wolfert was not charged criminally in her son's death. In January, the Ulster County Family Court found that Wolfert abused and neglected both of her sons by not getting medical attention for Mason.

During that court proceeding, she testified that she still considers herself to be an "amazing parent," that she does not blame herself for Mason's death, and that Stahli is the only one ultimately responsible.

During Stahli's sentencing today, Wolfert, reading her victim impact statement directly to Stahli, said: "There are many people that could have changed the outcome, myself included."

She trusted Stahli with her children, and "believed your lies and excuses...I am entirely at fault for it," Wolfert told Stahli.

Her 2-year-old son was already a man, "and that's something you will never be, Kenny," Wolfert said."You put Mason through torture. Not any sentence would ever be enough...although you will never care what I have to say," God is judging you.

READ: Wolfert to Stahli: 'You have ruined so many lives'

Carnright read a statement from Louis DeCosmo, Mason's father.

"There is a hole in me that will never be filled," Louis DeCosmo's statement said. "As this process has gone on, I have heard things that happened to Mason that most parents couldn't imagine in their worst nightmares. My happy, giggly little boy was filled with so much love. Now, he's laying in a tiny casket in the ground."

READ: Dad's last memory was 'holding his hand, standing over' son's casket

Stahli, who Connolly said has been diagnosed with ADHD and other personality disorders, made no statement on his own behalf, though Williams asked him to. Instead, Connolly read a statement for him.

In his statement, Stahli said he was sorry for the heart break Mason's family feels, and that he, too, is heartbroken.

"If he received medical care as I wanted him to," he might still be alive, Stahli's statement said.

Public Defender Andrew Kossover previously said an appeal on Stahli's conviction will be filed after sentencing.

Nina Schutzman: nschutzman@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4518 Twitter: @pojonschutzman