By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
A 57-year-old Ellis County man was recently sentenced to more than 19 years in prison for the murder of his brother in 2022.
In September, Monte Joe Wilson pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 54-year-old Mark Wilson on Sept. 19, 2022.
Monte Wilson was initially arrested and charged with second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
According to court documents, Mark Wilson was found beaten to death at a home in the 200 block of West Sixth in Hays on the night of Sept. 19, 2022. Monte Wilson was located and arrested at the scene.
Thursday, Ellis County District Court Judge Glenn Braun sentenced Monte Wilson to 233 months in prison for voluntary manslaughter.
Monte Wilson’s attorney filed a motion for a downward departure at sentencing. He argued Monte Wilson deserved a lesser sentence due to several factors. Among those were his age, his lack of a recent criminal history and his acceptance of responsibility in the case. Braun denied the motion.
Braun called Monte Wilson an “experienced criminal defendant” with nine prior felony convictions ranging from theft and drug possession to aggravated battery.
The judge also said there are more aggravating factors than what would allow the court to consider a downward departure. Braun said Mark Wilson’s disability was also a factor.