By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

GOVE -- Calling the crime "despicable," District Judge Ed Bouker on Tuesday sentenced David A. Stevenson to a term of life in prison for the first-degree murder of his 85-year-old father, Walter A. Stevenson.

Stevenson, wearing jeans and a brown shirt and handcuffed for the entire 20-minute hearing in Gove County District Court, showed little emotion when Bouker handed down the sentence for the May 13, 2008, murder at the family farm in western Gove County.

"What you did was despicable," Bouker said at the outset of handing down the sentence. "I don't know any other term for it. You got a fair trial for a despicable act."

His sister, Peggy Ricker, called for the maximum sentence to be handed down.

"What David did was deliberate and cold-blooded," Ricker said. "He killed his own father. What would he do to you or me if he was released?

"That's why I ask and my family asks that he be given the maximum sentence."

Bouker asked if David Stevenson wanted to make a comment.

"There's a lot I'd like to say, but I'm not going to," he said, adding he would leave the statements to his attorney. "I was not there when my dad died."

Bouker's hands were all but tied in setting a sentence, that of life in prison without the possibility of parole until after 25 years.

Stevenson was convicted Aug. 14 in Trego County District Court -- where the trial was moved to allow for additional room and places to eat to keep the jury separated from lawyers and witnesses in the case. Tuesday's sentencing was back in Gove County District Court where the case originated.

Nearly 30 people were on hand for the hearing, including at least three of the people who served on the jury that convicted Stevenson after deliberating for only four hours at the conclusion of a two-week trial.

Immediately following the imposition of a sentence, court-appointed attorney Paul Oller filed a notice of appeal and a motion to allow the state's appellate defender's office to take over the case.

The sentencing hearing was relatively routine, with only brief discussion over the pre-sentence investigation.

Oller said the report contained a petty larceny case out of Las Vegas.

"Mr. Stevenson does not believe he was convicted of that crime," Oller said.

Assistant Attorney General Steven Karrer also said the report incorrectly said Stevenson was not under supervision at the time of the murder. In fact, Karrer said, he was under court supervision on a sex-related case out of the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Bouker agreed to accept the changes, although it made no difference in Stevenson's criminal history report.

In any event, he could only be sentenced to life in prison.

The only witness appearing for sentencing was Ricker, Walter Stevenson's daughter and David Stevenson's sister.

Ricker spoke on behalf of her family, as well as herself.

Positioning an 8-by-10 framed photograph on the table where prosecutors were seated, Ricker told of how her father was a World War II veteran, flying 31 bombing missions, receiving a number of medals including the Bronze Star.

"My father was a war hero," she said. "He was also my hero."

As Ricker spoke, Bouker paid close attention to what she had to say and didn't even redress the observer whose phone buzzed repeatedly during the testimony.

Ricker told of how Walter Stevenson's death was a loss to his brother, Jack, and a sister.

Grandchidlren, she said, won't be getting anymore airplane rides or fishing trips.

Her mother, Ricker said, lost her husband of 62 years.

"It's the little things I will miss the most," she said. "No more riding across the pasture together on four-wheelers."