21-year-old sentenced in Idaho man’s beating death

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) - One of four men charged in connection with the beating death of a gay man in Idaho has been sentenced to six months in jail.

Kevin Tracy, 21, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to one count of felony aiding and abetting robbery, The Idaho Press-Tribune reported (https://bit.ly/2qzVolN). Additional charges of murder and robbery were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

The judge also gave Tracy an underlying prison sentence of 25 years to be served if he violates his 10-year probation.

Co-defendant Kelly Schneider was charged with murder and a hate crime in Steven Nelson’s death. He was sentenced last month to life in prison for kicking Nelson 20 to 30 times with steel-toed boots while the victim begged for his life.

Tracy’s brother, Jayson Woods, 28, has been sentenced to 28 years to life in prison for his role in the crime. Daniel Henkel, 23, has pleaded guilty to one count of felony aiding and abetting robbery and a probation violation and is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.

The four men are accused of luring Nelson to a remote area after posting a sex solicitation ad online to meet the victim. Nelson was beaten, robbed, strip naked and then left alone in the wilderness area. He died after finding help at a home about a half-mile away.

In handing down the six-month sentence for Tracy, the judge cited the defendant’s willingness to testify against Schneider, his lack of a criminal record and his display of remorse.

Tracy said during the Monday hearing that he was “truly sorry” for what he had done and that it “should have never happened.”

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Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, https://www.idahopress.com