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DRAPER -- David Ragsdale, the man who pleaded guilty to gunning down his wife in the parking lot of an LDS chapel in Lehi in January 2008, will serve at least 30 years in prison.
The Utah Board of Pardons held an administrative review of Ragsdale's case, which is typical of homicide sentences and determined that his first hearing will not occur until January 2038.
Ragsdale will be 67 years old at the time of the hearing, when the board will consider his case and decide if he will ever be paroled.
He is serving a possible life sentence.
Jim Hatch, a spokesman for the Utah Board of Pardons, says Ragsdale can request a review every 10 years, but the board is under no obligation to hold a hearing before 2038.
Last year, Ragsdale pleaded guilty to killing his estranged wife Kristy as part of a plea bargain, which removed the threat of the death penalty if he was convicted at trial.
Custody of the couple's two young sons was given to Kristy's mother.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
