Anthony Nichols of Kansas City, MO, appeared in front of Judge Wilson in Riley County Court on Monday for sentencing, after being found guilty by jury of attempted first degree murder. Anthony Nichols was originally charged with suspicion of First Degree Murder in the September 7, 2013 death of John Burroughs, 68, Manhattan.

The state has been represented by Barry Wilkerson and Barry Disney throughout the case and Jeffrey Wicks acted as Nichols’ defense attorney.

The sentencing began as Judge Wilson read letters presented by Wicks from friends and family of Nichols. On behalf of Nichols, Wicks requested a motion for a new trial and request for acquittal. After this was denied by Judge Wilson, Wicks made a motion for a depart of duration (which can lower the amount of possible jail time) from the 620 months that Nichols was facing. This request was based on the results of James McKennith no contest plea on the  first degree felony murder of John Burroughs, who will serve 20-25 years before being eligible for parole.

Judge Wilson also denied this motion, based on Nichols’ criminal history score of ‘A’ (at least 3 person felonies). After a back and forth between Wilkerson and Wicks on the terms of the sentencing, Judge Wilson gave Nichols 620 months with the Department of Corrections to be served concurrent (at the same time) as his sentence for the September 7, 2013 shooting death of Anthony Nixon of Junction City.

Wicks told Judge Wilson there would be an appeal to the sentencing, and to appoint a public defender for Nichols.