during his conviction, both he and his family would ask for the maximum possible sentence as penance for his crimes. throughout the sentencing process, mcdonald was apologetic, emotional and would openly express love for his wife. on january 9, 1998, mcdonald was ultimately given the maximum sentence of the crimes he was convicted of, 26½ years in confinement at the state's treatment center for sexual offenders, a location which would make mcdonald available to researchers studying the causes of sexual deviancy.