NORTH SALEM, Ind. -- A woman who murdered a minister in 1993 was released from prison on Thursday after serving just 16 years of her 40-year sentence.

Elizabeth Mayberry fatally shot the Rev. Roland Phillips while he was preaching at North Salem United Methodist Church. She told police she shot him after he broke off their relationship.

Mayberry was originally sentenced in 1994 to 60 years in prison, but the Supreme Court reduced that to 40 years because she was found guilty but mentally ill.

With education and credit for good behavior, Mayberry's release comes 16 years after the conviction, a move that's opened wounds for a congregation still healing.

"I don't know if anger is the proper word, maybe some disappointment, but we're going to leave it in the Lord's hands," church trustee Tim Fretz, who witnessed the shooting, told 6News' Stacia Matthews. "He's done what he can do to help bring her back to society peacefully."

But others in the small Hendricks County community aren't as sure.

"She should never be out. She's a menace to society," said resident Jerry Bishop.

"That's ridiculous. There's no sense in it," said Mark Basham. "Where is the justice? There is no justice."

Rich Hagenmaier, who prosecuted Mayberry, said he didn't expect she would be release so soon.

"I don't think that was the intention by the court after the conviction that she would be walking the streets in 16 years, so I'm a little shocked," he said. "My sincere hope is that Ms. Mayberry has been rehabilitated."

Since the shooting, Roland's parents have both passed away, and church members said they've lost touch with his daughter, who was 13 when she witnessed his murder.

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