David Meister sentenced to life in prison for murder of Moscow woman

Convicted murderer David Meister maintained his innocence today despite warnings from Judge John Stegner that a more lenient sentence would come from a public confession.

"I don't think there's anything I can do to sway you E but I had nothing to do with the murder of Tonya Hart," Meister said.

As Meister, 19, stared straight head, Stegner stayed true to his word and sentenced him to life in prison with no chance of parole for first-degree murder. For conspiracy to commit murder, Meister was sentenced to 40 years to life.

A jury in April found Meister guilty of the murder of Hart, a 21-year-old Moscow woman who was shot on Dec. 11, 2001.

Prosecutors allege Jesse "Shorty" Linderman, Hart's longtime boyfriend, hired Meister to kill Hart for $1,000 with a $100 bonus if her death occurred before Christmas. Initial charges brought against Linderman were dropped because of a lack of evidence.

The Latah County 2nd District courtroom was silent as Stegner read Meister's sentence. The judge said the harsh verdict came from Meister's telling confessions in August 2002 to Hart's murder.

Meister later recanted the confessions, and claimed he was under the influence of prescription drugs and had been coerced by investigators.

"That was the most powerful statement I read in presentencing, and they're from your mouth Mr. Meister. They're not words of coercion," Stegner said of the taped confession. "I want to feel sorry for you, Mr. Meister. I do feel sorry for you."

Tom Whitney, Meister's attorney, argued that the defendant's youth, close-knit family and lack of significant criminal history would keep him from committing another crime. Whitney suggested that a prison term of 10 years to life would be a sufficient sentence for Hart's murder.

Latah County Deputy Prosecutor Robin Eckmann disagreed. She said a lowered prison term for a murder charge would depreciate the seriousness of the crime.

"This definitely is not only a killer, but a cold-blooded killer. It's truly heinous and truly chilling," she said of Meister. "A person that kills for $1,100 is at risk to do it again. He has killed once and could kill again. Society needs to be protected."

Eckmann said Meister's youth could have warranted a lessened term if he had confessed, but "he has maintained his innocence and denied responsibility."

Hart's sister, Heather Hart, and father, Barry Hart, were asked to take the stand to make final pleas to the court.

"How would you feel knowing someone has shot your sister? Can you picture this nightmare, Dave, because it's my life. Was it worth it, Dave?" Heather said. "I want you to remember -- every time you eat, wake up and draw your morbid sketches -- my sister's face right before you pulled the trigger."

The Hart family was overjoyed to have the case come to a close.

"Yay," Heather yelled.

"I'm just thankful for what the judge has imposed on him," said a subdued Debra Hart, the victim's mother.

After court was adjourned, Meister's mother, Leah Meister, expressed her anger with the sentence.

"The conviction of my son doesn't make him guilty," she said. "Someone did, however, kill Tonya Hart. I pray this person comes forward."

Leah said she plans to appeal her son's case. Meister has 42 days to file a notice of appeal.

"I know he's innocent. Once someone goes through all the documentation, it will become glaringly obvious of the injustice that occurred," she said.

Stegner noted that Meister can appeal his case as part of the legal process.

"But I'll refrain from saying what your chances are," Stegner said.