On March 20, 2009, Cowley County District Judge Jim Pringle imposed a sentence of death on Justin Thurber, following the recommendation of the jury which had earlier convicted him of capital murder in the January 2007 death of Jodi Sanderholm. Pringle also sentenced Thurber to 176 months for aggravated kidnapping.
The judge rejected a defense motion for a new trial, ruling that enough evidence was presented for the jury to conclude that the crime was committed in a heinous, atrocious, and cruel manner. The judge also denied a motion that argued Thurber is mentally retarded and therefore not subject to the death penalty.