News : Maximum sentence issued in Miller case: 40 years for manslaughter, 2nd degree theft

The man who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing and strangling death of his girlfriend has been sentenced to 40 years in prison - the maximum for the three felonies for which he was convicted on Sept. 21. "It was the best we could hope for; the maximum sentence possible with the jury's verdict,"� explains Benton County Attorney David Thompson. Originally charged with first degree murder, Miller was found guilty by a jury of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of second degree theft - each as a result of trucks he stole from neighbors while fleeing the crime scene. Because of his extensive previous criminal record (Miller had been released from prison just 10 days before killing Sabrina Hustad Janish), the defendant received the maximum sentence on all three felonies, Thompson said. The judge sentenced Miller to 10 years, the maximum, for voluntary manslaughter, and the 15-year maximum for the two vehicle thefts, with the sentences to run consecutively, for a total official sentence of 40 years. The most Miller could actually serve under current sentencing policies, said Thompson, is 20 years. He said that based on the defendant's criminal history, he believes that Miller'stotal time in a state penitentiary will be close to 20 years. However, said the county attorney, Miller's lawyer could appeal the sentence. Before the sentence was issued, the court heard victim impact statements from three people close to Sabrina. Statements were read on behalf of her sister, her daughter, Madelyn; and her daughter's father.