A transient who was one of three people charged in the beating death of a Colorado man has been sentenced to the maximum sentence.
46-year-old David Saxton appeared in Lincoln County District Court on Monday for sentencing.
In June, Saxton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Lonnie Sanchez.
Sanchez’s body was found last September near a transient camp along the South Platte River near the city of North Platte. Authorities say he was beaten to death by Saxton and another man, 31-year-old Randy Nevsimal.
Prior to sentencing, Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling asked District Court Judge Richard Birch to sentence Saxton to the maximum sentence allowed.
Harling told the court that, during a pre-sentence investigation, Saxton stated that he had no remorse for Sanchez’ death. Harling said that this is one of the biggest concerns her office has with Saxton.
Saxton’s attorney, Patrick Hayes, said he felt that Harling’s statements were a bit of a misrepresentation. Hayes said the co-defendants and Sanchez had been drinking and things just got out of hand.
Hayes said Saxton had expressed remorse on multiple occasions.
Saxton then addressed the court saying, “I’m sorry for what I did. Things just got out of control and I can’t take it back.”
Judge Birch then said that he too was very concerned by the lack of remorse that Saxton showed in the pre-sentence investigation.
He also said that he had received numerous letters from Sanchez’ friends and family, stating what an important part of their life he had been.
“Despite his shortcomings, Mr. Sanchez didn’t deserve this,” Judge Birch said. “This was a senseless violent act.”
Judge Birch then sentenced Saxton to the maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison. He was given credit for 316 days he’s already served.
Nevsimal has pleaded not guilty to a count of second-degree murder. Court records don’t show a trial date has been set.
In April, another co-defendant, Maybelle Collins, was given 364 days in jail. She’d been convicted of false reporting.