Jessy Kurczewski has been sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree intentional homicide of her friend Lynn Hernan, using eye drops.

The sentence, as read by Judge Jennifer Dorow, includes the possibility of extended supervision after 30 years of incarceration.

Dorow referenced the severity of the offense, along with Kurczewski's history of prior convictions, explaining the court's rationale for imposing consecutive maximum sentences for additional counts of forgery and misappropriation.

"I think 30 years is a pretty significant amount of time. But my target is really for you," the judge said, highlighting the goal of making Kurczewski eligible for parole close to the age of 80, "older than what [the victim] Lin would be today."

Before sentencing, Kurczewski spoke for nearly two hours, maintaining her innocence, insisting Hernan died by suicide.

"It is a lot to be accused and convicted of murder. When I didn't do it. It won't bring her back and it won't make her life any easier. You're holding me responsible for what she did. Those are her decisions. Her choices. Her actions. And no one else's. Not even mine," Kurczewski said in tears.

Kurczewski was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and felony theft by a jury in November 2023.

According to court documents, Kurczewski administered a lethal dose of tetrahydrozoline, a chemical found in over-the-counter eye drops, to her friend, leading to a fatal overdose.

The incident occurred in 2018, when Kurczewski called the police to her friend's home, claiming she found her unresponsive.

Initially reported as a suspected natural death, later investigation revealed high levels of the chemical in the victim's system, contrasting with Kurczewski's account.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Kurczewski's actions were deliberate. The defense claimed the victim took the eye drops herself, suicidally ingesting them.

However, a critical turn in the trial came when evidence was presented showing Kurczewski had researched the effects of tetrahydrozoline on the internet.

Kurczewski had also been accused of financial deception, with records showing she transferred large sums from the victim’s accounts to her own and made several hefty purchases, including a trip to Las Vegas.

Jurors had deliberated for several hours before reaching their unanimous verdict.