ddssdv
03-23-2008, 11:33 AM
Although Mike didn't die in combat, he was my friend and I miss him. His killer was re sentenced BUT 10 years is NOT enough. Different rules on the Rez.
Man resentenced in SEAL killing
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Mar 21, 2008 8:40:56 EDT
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A Wolf Point man convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of a Navy SEAL was re-sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison after the fairness of the original sentence was called into question.
Gerald L. Littlehead originally was sentenced in 2006 to 10 years in prison in the death of Michael Bell, 22. That sentence was questioned because the court didn’t tell Littlehead or his attorney that the judge was considering a sentence more severe than federal guidelines.
On Thursday, District Judge Sam Haddon also listed factors he believed justified a longer sentence, including Littlehead’s use of a weapon against an unarmed man and his history of violence.
According to court records, Bell got into an argument with Littlehead and Littlehead’s brother, David Zephier, in April 2006 at a Wolf Point bar and threw a punch at Zephier.
Witnesses said Littlehead then came from behind and struck Bell four or five times, possibly with a knife. Another witness said Littlehead later showed up at her house and told her he had stabbed someone. Bell, who was on leave from Hawaii, died during surgery
Man resentenced in SEAL killing
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Mar 21, 2008 8:40:56 EDT
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A Wolf Point man convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of a Navy SEAL was re-sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison after the fairness of the original sentence was called into question.
Gerald L. Littlehead originally was sentenced in 2006 to 10 years in prison in the death of Michael Bell, 22. That sentence was questioned because the court didn’t tell Littlehead or his attorney that the judge was considering a sentence more severe than federal guidelines.
On Thursday, District Judge Sam Haddon also listed factors he believed justified a longer sentence, including Littlehead’s use of a weapon against an unarmed man and his history of violence.
According to court records, Bell got into an argument with Littlehead and Littlehead’s brother, David Zephier, in April 2006 at a Wolf Point bar and threw a punch at Zephier.
Witnesses said Littlehead then came from behind and struck Bell four or five times, possibly with a knife. Another witness said Littlehead later showed up at her house and told her he had stabbed someone. Bell, who was on leave from Hawaii, died during surgery