The Latvian Supreme Court on June 26 upheld the sentences of two men convicted of murdering an American missionary in Riga in 2004. The ruling may be appealed to the Supreme Court Senate in 10 days. The verdict text will be made public on July 10, according to BNS.
Karlis Magone and Ingus Smitkins had been convicted in the Riga Regional Court in October 2005 of murdering Drew Rush. Magone was sentenced to 20 years in prison. His property was to be confiscated and he would undergo probation for three years. Smitkins received 15 years and 10 days in prison, confiscation of property, three-years probation and a loss of his driver's license.
Magone and Smitkins will have to pay 1,753 lats (2,494 euros) each in damages to the Agape mission and 2,500 lats to cover funeral costs for Rush's family.
Magone, a soldier, knew Rush, who worked with the National Armed Forces as a missionary and English teacher. Rush had previously lent Magone money. Magone and Smitkins came to Rush' apartment on October 27, 2004 in hopes of borrowing more money. When Rush refused, they strangled him, stabbed him in the chest. They then stole two laptop computers, a mobile phone, a digital camera and some cash, worth a total of 4,500 lats.
Rush's body was discovered on November 1. Smitkins confessed to his participation in the murder, while Magone only confessed to theft. Eventually the court considered Smitkins' confession in giving him a lighter sentence.
