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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA 24-year-old Evansville man convicted of two counts each of murder and robbery for killing two people has avoided a life sentence but still could spend his remaining years in prison.
The Journal & Courier reports Tippecanoe Superior Judge Randy Williams ruled Friday a life sentence for Deshay Hackner would contradict the penal system’s goals of rehabilitation. Williams scheduled a June 14 sentencing hearing.
Hackner faces a sentencing range of 51-202 years.
The trial was moved to Tippecanoe County because of pre-trial publicity. The jury convicted him Wednesday of the 2017 slayings of 29-year-old Dewone Broomfield and 28-year-old Mary Woodruff inside the Evansville couple’s home, but deadlocked on whether to recommend a life sentence without parole.
Co-defendant William Rice II is awaiting trial on murder and robbery charges.
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