North Dakota man sentenced to life in baby daughter’s death
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck man will serve life in prison without parole after being convicted of killing his infant daughter.
Jose Rivera-Rieffel, 23, was sentenced Friday after being convicted in March on felony charges of murder and child abuse. Rivera-Rieffel’s daughter died in April 2018, eight days after emergency workers took her to a hospital for treatment of multiple head injuries.
Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer recommended a life sentence due to the young age of the victim, Rivera-Rieffel’s lack of remorse and the similarity to an earlier offense, The Bismarck Tribune reported. Rivera-Rieffel pleaded guilty in 2017 to child abuse after his other infant daughter was brought to a hospital with injuries.
A presentence investigation found that Rivera-Rieffel attended only one parenting class after that conviction, and that he said he was there only because of his probation.
Rivera-Rieffel did not comment during his sentencing.
In handing down the life sentence, South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty said that there is “no possibility of rehabilitation” for Rivera-Rieffel because he has shown “no remorse” for his daughter .
Defense attorney Kent Morrow said in court that he intends to appeal.
