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Biehl sentenced to life without parole
By CHRISTINA BRIGHT, cbright@newsandsentinel.com
POSTED: February 8, 2008
RIPLEY — Charles Michael Biehl was sentenced to life without mercy Thursday morning in Jackson County Circuit Court after he was found guilty last month of first-degree murder in the January 2007 death of Sharion Farren.
Bill Bostic, defense attorney, filled motions for a new trial and acquittal prior to sentencing. In his motions, he cited the possibility the jury overheard Judge Tom Evans informing Biehl that, should he testify, his prior felony conviction of arson would not be part of the questioning. Bostic said he was not accusing the court of “any intentional misconduct.”
Evans said he believed it was important for Biehl to know his prior convictions would not be part of the proceedings and accusations the jury overheard was “all speculation.”
Had the possibility the jury heard his statement while they were sequestered in the jury room been brought to his attention, he would have questioned the jury and declared a mistrial had they heard.
Evans said the evidence presented during the trial was “sufficient to support the verdict” and, therefore, denied Bostic’s motions. Asked if he wished to address the court, Biehl said he believes DNA evidence would clear him. But he added, “I’m ready to face whatever I get.”
Before sentencing, the victim’s family members addressed Biehl, remembering her as a loving sister, daughter, aunt and niece. “Why did you kill my daughter?” asked Farren’s father Clinton Casto. “She took you in and fed you and clothed you. She had no money.”
Nephew Brian Westfall called Farren “the most important person to me,” while Kenny Westfall expressed forgiveness to Biehl.
A very emotional Elizabeth Watkins, sister to Farren, called Biehl “heartless. When you came to my house, I’m the one who gave you clothes to wear and food to eat. You had me fooled,” she said. “I don’t have hate in my heart, but I hate you. When the money and drink was gone, you killed her. You ain’t met the real judge yet.”
She said she remembered Biehl asking her about the police in Ripley. “You thought you’d come to a hillbilly town and get away with stuff. But you found out we have a good police department and good judges,” Watkins said.
Shannon Baldwin, prosecuting attorney, reminded the court the murder was brutal in that Farren was hit hard enough to break her nasal bone and strangled, first with a phone cord and then with hands.
Before passing the sentence, Evans said life does not seem to be as valuable as it once was and that crimes like this happen too often. Evans sentenced Biehl to life in the state penitentiary without the possibility of parole. Biehl does have the right to appeal the sentence.
Bill Bostic, defense attorney, filled motions for a new trial and acquittal prior to sentencing. In his motions, he cited the possibility the jury overheard Judge Tom Evans informing Biehl that, should he testify, his prior felony conviction of arson would not be part of the questioning. Bostic said he was not accusing the court of “any intentional misconduct.”
Evans said he believed it was important for Biehl to know his prior convictions would not be part of the proceedings and accusations the jury overheard was “all speculation.”
Had the possibility the jury heard his statement while they were sequestered in the jury room been brought to his attention, he would have questioned the jury and declared a mistrial had they heard.
Evans said the evidence presented during the trial was “sufficient to support the verdict” and, therefore, denied Bostic’s motions. Asked if he wished to address the court, Biehl said he believes DNA evidence would clear him. But he added, “I’m ready to face whatever I get.”
Before sentencing, the victim’s family members addressed Biehl, remembering her as a loving sister, daughter, aunt and niece. “Why did you kill my daughter?” asked Farren’s father Clinton Casto. “She took you in and fed you and clothed you. She had no money.”
Nephew Brian Westfall called Farren “the most important person to me,” while Kenny Westfall expressed forgiveness to Biehl.
A very emotional Elizabeth Watkins, sister to Farren, called Biehl “heartless. When you came to my house, I’m the one who gave you clothes to wear and food to eat. You had me fooled,” she said. “I don’t have hate in my heart, but I hate you. When the money and drink was gone, you killed her. You ain’t met the real judge yet.”
She said she remembered Biehl asking her about the police in Ripley. “You thought you’d come to a hillbilly town and get away with stuff. But you found out we have a good police department and good judges,” Watkins said.
Shannon Baldwin, prosecuting attorney, reminded the court the murder was brutal in that Farren was hit hard enough to break her nasal bone and strangled, first with a phone cord and then with hands.
Before passing the sentence, Evans said life does not seem to be as valuable as it once was and that crimes like this happen too often. Evans sentenced Biehl to life in the state penitentiary without the possibility of parole. Biehl does have the right to appeal the sentence.
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