A man who at age 15 sexually abused and strangled a 5-year-old girl will continue to spend the rest of his days in prison.
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole refused to alter its original decision that Douglas C. Anderson, 31, should serve his natural life for the 1992 slaying of Bobbi Jo Hart. Anderson requested the parole board review its original decision on March 3.
"It basically is an automatic review if the inmate wants it to happen," parole board spokesman Jim Hatch said Monday. "Pursuant to our administrative rule, it just says inmates with natural life are eligible for a redetermination review every 10 years."
The prison prepared a progress report for the parole board to let them know of Anderson's progress.
"We review the progress report and make a decision about whether or not his status should be changed," Hatch said. "They voted no change in his natural life sentence."
In October of 1992, Bobbi Jo Hart vanished from her grandfather's Ogden home. Her body was found the next night stuffed in a trash can behind Anderson's home. He was convicted of sexually abusing and strangling her.
Because of Anderson's age, prosecutors were unable to seek the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in the Utah State Prison.
"His only recourse at this point is to seek redetermination every 10 years," Hatch said.
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