White is sentenced to 30 years on murder

Local News

August 24, 2010

Melodie Phelps, News Editor CNHI The Wayne County Outlook Tue Aug 24, 2010, 05:26 PM EDT

8-25-10 —     Hope White, who was convicted in April in the 2008 stabbing death of Julie Hicks Burchett, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on the murder charge. Circuit Judge Vernon Miniard, Jr. followed the jury's recommendation in sentencing White during a hearing held on Tuesday, August 17.

    The formal sentencing for White, originally set for May, had been delayed 90 days, while defense attorneys in the case awaited the results of DNA testing of fingernail scrapings taken from the victim. They questioned whether the blood found under the victim's fingernails belonged to a man or woman. Results from the test showed no DNA that was foreign to the victim, according to court documents.

    Burchett's body was found on July 18, 2008 in her vehicle, which was parked at the old pallet mill on Beech Valley Road. She had been stabbed numerous times and her throat had been cut. White was arrested and charged with murder nearly a year after Burchett's death.

    A local jury convicted White of murder on April 25, following five days of testimony in the case, and recommended the 30 year sentence.

    White's attorney, Jim Cox, had filed a request for a new trial, which Miniard denied during last week's proceeding. White was given credit for 416 days she has already served.

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White is sentenced to 30 years on murder

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