SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane man convicted of a murder he committed in the 90s was back in court Wednesday to be resentenced for a second time.
Kevin Boot has already served nearly 30 years in prison for killing Felicia Reese in 1994. He appeared in court again on Wednesday in the hopes of reducing his sentence to 30 years with credit for time served, meaning his 30-year sentence would nearly be complete. However, the victim's family doesn't believe he should be given a much lighter sentence.
In 1994, then-17-year-old Boot and his cousin kidnapped, robbed and killed Reese. A jury convicted him of aggravated first-degree murder two years later, landing him in prison with a life sentence without parole.
In 2012, however, a United States Supreme Court ruling determined a juvenile could not be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Five years later, Spokane County Judge Raymond Clary resentenced Boot to 50 years in prison with credit for time served. The Court of Appeals later ruled that sentence is the same as life in prison and should be re-issued.
That ruling landed Boot in court for a third time on Wednesday.
The hearing for Boot's second resentencing started with a letter from Reese's mother read by a family friend.
"My soul aches every single day since my beloved daughter was thoughtlessly murdered," Mike Fredricks read. "Kevin Boot does not deserve mercy, just as he did not show mercy towards Felicia."
Then, the defense called on Grady Mitchell, who shared a prison cell with Boot for 20 years. In that time, he said Boot became remorseful and took steps to change.
The state is requesting a 40-year sentence, while Boot is seeking a 30-year sentence with credit for time served. Although he has already served nearly 30 years, he would not be released from prison; rather, he would become eligible for parole soon.
“Judge, you’re not setting him free," said Jeffry Finer, Boot's defense attorney. "You are setting the date for when the parole board can begin looking at him.”
Boot told the judge he’s changed, listing several volunteer redemption programs he’s participated in, and now leading, in prison. He said he wants the opportunity for people to see he is not the "monster" he was at age 17.
He closed by apologizing to Felicia's family, his own family and the Spokane community for what he did.
Attorneys completed presenting their evidence and arguments to the judge on Wednesday. A ruling will be made at a later date.
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