BISMARCK - A man convicted of fatally assaulting a woman behind a Bismarck store last year has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
A jury in September found 35-year-old Morris Brickle-Hicks guilty of beating 40-year-old Misty Coffelt and leaving her to die behind Runnings in April 2016. Brickle-Hicks was charged with felony murder.
Defense attorney James Loraas asked for life with the possibility of parole. Loraas said Brickle-Hicks asked him to request a 20-year sentence.
Prosecutor Julie Lawyer told the court that Brickle-Hicks' lack of remorse and violent behavior called for the maximum sentence.
Loraas said a psychological evaluation shows that Brickle-Hicks has "low intellectual functioning'' and would require accommodations in prison.