The Idaho Court of Appeals has rejected an argument for a lighter sentence by a former Nez Perce County sheriff’s deputy who killed his ex-wife.
The court earlier this month agreed with the lower court’s sentence of 24 years to life in prison for Joseph Thomas, who was sentenced in 2nd District Court in 2017 after being convicted of first-degree murder. Authorities say Thomas strangled Beth Irby-Thomas in May 2011, and then tried to misdirect law enforcement officials.
Thomas in his appeal said the sentencing judge did not consider mitigating factors such as Thomas being a former law enforcement officer and his lack of a criminal record. He also argued the jury wasn’t properly instructed.
The Idaho Court of Appeals rejected those arguments. (AP, Lewiston Tribune)
