The Eighth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals has denied an appeal by a North Dakota man sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 death of his five-year-old foster child on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
Erich Longie of Tokio (ND) was convicted after pleading guilty to first degree murder and three counts of child abuse and neglect.
According to the appeals court… the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Longie’s motion to withdraw his plea, saying he failed to show that his plea was not knowing and voluntary. The court also said he did not establish a fair and just reason for withdrawal.
Longie’s wife Tammy is appealing her life sentence for her role in the child’s death. That appeal is pending.
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