State v. Waddell

SWANSTROM, Judge.

Steve Waddell pled guilty to second degree murder for the stabbing death of his high school sweetheart. The district judge sentenced Waddell to a minimum period of confinement of twenty years followed by an indeterminate period of confinement not to exceed life. Waddell appeals, contending that his sentence is unjust because the judge erred: (1) by ignoring Waddell’s potential for rehabilitation; (2) by not mentioning the sentencing guidelines before imposing sentence and by not following the prosecutor’s sentencing recommendation; and (3) by considering letters and testimony…