Nickels sentenced to 25 years in jail
David Nickels listens to testimony during his murder trial in August 2012. Nickels received a 25 year sentence Friday.
EPHRATA - There was finally some closure in the case concerning the 2009 murder of an Ephrata man.
David Nickels, 31, of Helena, Mont., was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for killing Sage Munro, 35, an Ephrata construction worker. Nickels shot Munro because the Ephrata man was dating Nickels' ex-girlfriend, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article.
During the preliminary hearing, defense attorney Mark Larrañaga requested the judge delay sentencing, but Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline denied the motion. Judge Sperline stated that any motions presented by the defense can be heard in the court of appeals.
After Judge Sperline denied the motions presented by the defense, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ed Owens addressed the judge and recommended that Nickels be sentenced to the maximum 27 years and 9 months.
Owens explained the maximum penalty was deserved because Nickels planned his attack on the victim, Sage Munro, he showed no remorse for his actions, and his crime has had immense destructive impact on the victim's family and the Grant County community.
"This is a cold, calculated assassination of Sage Munro," Owens said.
Members of the Munro family were allowed to address the judge and speak about the victim and how they felt toward Nickels.
Munro's son, Griffin, spoke about his father and how great of a man he was. From Griffin's perspective, his father was revered throughout the community.
"Sage Munro, my father, was my absolute hero," Griffin said.
The victim's father and brother also addressed the court room and echoed the same sentiments as Griffin.
The tension in the courtroom was broken for a moment as Munro's brother, Wade, was wrapping up his address. He accidentally thanked the defense team. The courtroom shared a laugh as he attempted to correct himself.
After members of the Munro family were finished speaking the defense was allowed to make their final arguments to the judge. Larrañaga asked the judge for the mandatory minimum of 20 years.
"This has been a case of absurd proportions," Larrañaga said.
Nickels declined to speak on his behalf and Judge Sperline delivered the sentence.
Nickels and his defense attorneys have 30 days to appeal the court's decision.