Self-Proclaimed Serial Killer William Reece Formally Sentenced To Death In Oklahoma

A self-proclaimed serial killer has been formally sentenced to death in Oklahoma.

The convicted murderer stayed silent in the courtroom as the Oklahoma County judge read his sentence. He denied the chance to address the court and apologize to the families of Tiffany Johnston or any of his other admitted victims.

"He's not sorry. He don't have a conscience. He don't have-he's just a serial killer," said Kathy Dobry, Johnston's mother.

It's almost 25 years after her newlywed daughter went missing from a Bethany carwash only to be found strangled and partially clotheed in a field the next day. 

Dobry and the rest of Johnston's loved ones and family watched as Oklahoma County Judge Susan Stallings sentenced Reece to death.

"We all wanted to jump up and down when we were in the courtroom," said Dobry. 

"Hearing all the women that he hurt and how much everyone suffered at his hands he deserves way worse than this," Johnston's sister, Vickie Standing, said.

A jury convicted Reece of Johnston's murder in June and recommended a death sentence. 

Throughout the weeks' long trial, a series of recorded interviews with the defendant were played. 

Jurors heard Reece admit to killing Johnston, 12-year-old Laura Smither, 20-year-old Kelli Cox, and 16-year-old Jessica Cain.

"He was incredibly prolific," said Laura Smither's mother, Gay Smither. "I mean, 1997 was the worst year for young women between Houston and Oklahoma City and there's lots more girls out there that need to be found."

Cox's mother and daughter laid eyes on Reece for the first time.

"You could feel the evil enter the room and leave it when he was coming in and out," said Alexis Bynum, Cox's daughter.

Bynum wasn't even 2 years old when her mother disappeared.

"I remember looking for her," she said.

"She would look under the bed, in the closets and any time she would see a car the same color as Kelli's car she'd [say] 'mommy, mommy,'" Jan Bynum, Cox's mother, said.

The families said they will never have closure but take peace in the thought that Reece will spend his life in prison.

"Keep dancing, baby. Laura loved to dance and she's free to dance for all eternity now," said Gay Smither.

"Tiffany is up there dancing around with her grandpa, and her dad, and her niece," Dobry said.

Reece is expected to appeal the sentence.

Related: Convicting A Serial Killer, Part 1