Man resentenced to life in prison in 1994 killing

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A man sentenced to death in the 1994 strangulation killing of a 17-year-old Flora Vista girl has been resentenced to life in prison in response to a New Mexico Supreme Court decision that set aside his death sentence.

The Farmington Daily Times reports that Timothy Allen was resentenced Thursday in the death of Sandra Phillips.

Allen also was convicted of kidnapping and criminal sexual penetration.

This summer, the state Supreme Court set aside Allen’s death sentence and explained that his punishment was disproportionate in comparison with similar murder cases.

Sandra’s mother, Darlene Phillips, says it was injustice that Allen’s death sentence was thrown out.

Allen had been among New Mexico’s last two inmates who were awaiting execution.

The state repealed the death penalty in 2009.

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Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com