‘You took a part of me I can’t get back.’ Pair sentenced in Clearfield County murder case

Family members reflected on their loss Monday during a sentencing hearing for a Clearfield County man convicted of first-degree murder.

Denny Bailey, 41, formerly of Woodland, who was accused of the murder of Chase Anderson, 19, of Curwensville in August 2017, was found guilty after a seven day trial in November.

His ex-girlfriend, Chantell Demi, 30, also of Woodland, testified against him, detailing how they and 26-year-old Kenja Tew of Clearfield planned to take Anderson to a remote area to scare him. Bailey was reportedly concerned about Anderson telling police about his drug business.

Once there he was put in a chokehold by Tew. He fought back and struggled with Bailey who repeatedly stabbed him, according to testimony at the trial. They then tried to burn his body and left it in the woods.

In addition to the mandatory life sentence for murder, President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced Bailey to 31 to 62 additional years in prison for conspiracy/murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy/kidnapping. He gave concurrent sentences for abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

Prior to the sentencing, Margie Rosselli of the victim/witness program read a statement from both Anderson’s mother and grandmother.

His mother explained that for the last four years she had to adjust to living without her “baby,” which she explained is how she thinks of her children, no matter their age.

Referring to how Bailey kept changing his statements to authorities, she said, “I listened while you made up stories ... watched as you made a fool of yourself.”

Her son was a “loving, caring person” who would have forgiven Bailey, she said.

“You took a part of me I can’t get back,” she said.

In her statement, Anderson’s grandmother noted that he “had a beautiful heart” who liked to believe there was good in everyone.”

She said Anderson’s only downfall was his choice of friends.

“He was not perfect, but he was definitely not evil,” she said.

As part of this case, Bailey also pleaded guilty to conspiracy/arson and conspiracy/tampering with evidence for plotting with Demi to burn the vehicle used in the crime for which he received concurrent sentences of 18 months to three years and of nine months to three years.

Bailey had two additional cases.

While he was incarcerated at the county jail, Bailey assaulted a corrections office and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He was sentenced to an additional 27 months to five years in prison.

In the last case, he pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with the number altered. Ammerman gave him a concurrent period of 72 months to 12 years for these offenses.

Demi, who testified as part of a plea agreement, was sentenced Monday to nine to 18 years in state prison for conspiracy/aggravated assault, kidnapping, conspiracy/kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy tampering with evidence.

For the burning of the vehicle, she pleaded guilty to arson, conspiracy/arson and tampering with evidence. Ammerman sentenced her to a consecutive period of six to 12 years in prison.

Her total sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison is in addition to her current sentence of two to five years on felony drug and firearm charges.

Tew was offered a plea agreement prior to his testimony at Bailey’s trial, but he has not accepted it.

This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 12:08 PM.