LA GRANDE — Union County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Powers sentenced an Elgin man to two life sentences on Wednesday, May 29, for the 2020 slaying of his girlfriend and her granddaughter.

Gary Otis Mason, 58, will serve two concurrent life sentences with a minimum of 30 years without the possibility of parole or release to post-prison supervision. After 30 years, he can file a petition for a hearing with the parole board. If paroled, he will have a lifetime of post-prison supervision.

The court got a sample of the evidence that would have been admitted if the case went to trial during the bail hearing in November 2023, according to Powers. He said this showed the “horrific nature and brutal nature of these murders.”

On May 13, Mason pleaded guilty on both counts of first-degree murder. He originally pleaded not guilty to the charges in 2021. Mason was represented by court-appointed counsel — Portland attorneys Anthony Schwartz and Scott Leonard.

The court did not impose any fines or order Mason to pay attorney’s fees due to his inability to pay. Powers said that any money should go toward restitutions rather than fines or fees. Mason has been ordered to pay restitution totaling over $9,000 to crime victims restitution and a family member of the victims.

Mason was arrested in 2020 on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of his girlfriend, Candy Williams, 56, of Elgin, and her 14-year-old granddaughter. Court documents do not name Williams’ granddaughter, who was a minor at the time of her death. The slaying took place Dec. 29, 2020, at the home of Mason and Williams on Chumos Road outside Elgin, about 25 miles northeast of La Grande. Local law enforcement found the bodies of Williams and her granddaughter after Mason called 911.

Evidence suggests at least 18 gunshots had been fired into the bodies of the deceased — the majority of which were to the juvenile.

Union County District Attorney Kelsie McDaniel said that when she arrived at the house it was like looking at two separate crime scenes. The scene where Williams was murdered was different from her granddaughter was killed, which McDaniel described as a “bloodbath.”

McDaniel shared that after Mason was arrested he made a number of comments that furthered the pain and suffering of the victim’s family. He said the 14-year-old was “better off dead” and that he “hunted her down like a critter.”

Powers remarked that there were almost no words for the comments Mason made after the murders. He referred to Mason’s comments as “jaw dropping” and “shocking” — saying that they showed Mason’s basic disregard for the victims’ lives.

The district attorney said that in criminal cases the focus is often on the defendant rather than the victims. She took the opportunity to share a little about both Williams and her granddaughter.

Williams loved the holidays, especially Christmas. She worked as a caregiver and loved her family above all else. Her granddaughter had dreams of traveling and seeing the world. She wanted to become a veterinarian and help animals. However, those dreams will never be realized as her “life was cut short.”

McDaniel added that there will be enduring unanswered questions for the family. Questions such as: What happened that night? Who was killed first? Why was the juvenile’s door shot in? Why was the teen naked when she was killed? Why was the defendant’s DNA on her?

Mason chose to not make a comment during the sentencing. However, his attorneys spoke on his behalf. Leonard said that Mason wanted the court and victim’s family to know that he never sexually abused the teenager. He added that Mason adamantly denies any accusations or insinuations of sexual assault.

The defense also spoke about mitigating factors, which would have come up if the case had gone to trial and were considered as part of sentencing. Leonard shared that Mason grew up in a household with alcohol, which was provided to him from a young age. He said that alcohol likely played a role that night. (Mason’s blood alcohol level was 0.08% eight hours after the 911 call was made).

Leonard added that Mason also has a long history of brain injuries, which can cause impulse control issues and aggression.

Both attorneys thanked the Union County Sheriff’s Office, circuit court and district attorney’s office for bringing this case to a resolution.