Island County prosecutor seeks 80 years for Huden


August 19, 2012 · Updated 6:56 AM 

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks wants murderer James Huden to get an exceptional sentence of 80 years in prison.

Huden is scheduled to be sentenced in Island County Superior Court Tuesday morning. Following a lengthy trial last month, a jury found Huden guilty of  killing Russel Douglas, a 32-year-old father of two, on South Whidbey nine years ago.

Huden was convicted of first-degree murder while armed with a a firearm, plus an aggravating factor that allow the judge to impose an exceptional sentence beyond the standard range. Namely, the jury found that Douglas was particularly vulnerable.

Former beauty queen Peggy Thomas, who’s also facing a murder charge, allegedly lured Douglas to an isolated spot on Wahl Road under the guise of delivering a gift to him for his wife.

“Huden then shot Russel Douglas between the eyes while Douglas was seat-belted in the driver’s seat of his car — completely unsuspecting, isolated from others who may have aided him, utterly defenseless, and unable to flee,” Banks wrote in his sentencing memorandum.

Thomas is scheduled to go to trial Nov. 13.

 

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