Published: July 02, 2009 09:15 pm         

Katron Walker set to be sentenced in August

TERRE HAUTE — Sentencing for a man who recently pleaded guilty to the 2006 murder of his 4-year-old son has been set for Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 in Vigo Superior Court Division 3.

Katron Walker avoided a death penalty trial when he pleaded guilty last month to the murder of one child and the attempted murder of his other son.

Testimony will be given during the upcoming sentencing hearing in front of Judge David R. Bolk.

Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said Thursday it is not known who will give testimony in the case for either the prosecution or defense, or if both days will be needed for testimony, which is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. each day.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Bolk could announce a sentence for Walker, who faces up to 100 years in prison, according to terms in the plea agreement. Or, the judge could take the matter under advisement and set a future date to announce Walker’s sentence.

As part of a sentencing, a judge usually considers mitigating circumstances that could lessen prison time, as well as aggravating circumstances that could enhance prison time.

Walker faces between 45 and 100 years in prison for killing 4-year-old Collin Walker, and for the attempted murder of then-2-year-old, Monte Walker, near Blackhawk. The June 13, 2006 attack occurred as police responded to an Amber Alert issued several hours after Walker took the children, allegedly at knifepoint, from their grandfather.

As part of the plea agreement, Walker waives his right to appeal the sentence he receives from Bolk.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.