Man who shot, killed DJ in 2009 restaurant shooting sentenced to 23 years

Hank Wise, the 47-year-old man previously found guilty of killing karaoke disc jockey Ben Goeser in 2009, was sentenced to 23 years in prison Wednesday morning.

Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Seth Norman issued the sentence after finding Wise guilty of second-degree murder [1] in a bench trial in April.

Goeser worked with his wife [2] inside Jonny’s Sports Bar in South Nashville on April 2, 2009, when Wise — who had had previous run-ins with the couple and had been asked to leave Jonny’s that night — approached Goeser and shot him multiple times, killing him.

During Wednesday morning’s sentencing hearing, the judge heard testimony from Goeser’s wife, daughter and a friend about how his death has impacted their lives, according to the district attorney’s office. A psychiatrist also testified that Wise has a delusion disorder.