FARGO (KFGO) - A man serving life without parole for killing a West Fargo woman when he was 16 years old says he should be considered for a reduced sentence.
Barry Garcia is the only state inmate who was sentenced to life without parole for a crime committed as a juvenile. He was convicted of murder and aggravated assault in the shooting death of Cheryl Tendeland in 1995.
A Cass County judge in January rejected Garcia's argument that the sentence was unconstitutional. Garcia's lawyers are appealing to the state Supreme Court, citing a new state law that bans sentences for juveniles without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors say the Legislature did not intend the new law to apply to Garcia.