An Iowa man will spend life behind bars, following the death of a 17-year-old Farnhamville girl.
The Des Moines Register has reported that a judge named Derek Johnson sentenced 22-year-old Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney from Gowrie to life imprisonment on Friday. Bevers-McGivney will serve this sentence without any chance of parole. Learn more.
This summer, after a two-day trial, Bevers-McGivney was found guilty of first-degree murder and the abuse of a corpse in the stabbing death of Michele Jackson, as noted by Court TV. More details.
During his sentencing, the judge condemned Bevers-McGivney’s actions as “pure evil” and emphasized, “There is nothing about this case that warrants any sign of leniency from this court.”
As reported by CrimeOnline, police discovered Michele Jackson’s body close to a farm field in Calhoun County while responding to a report about a bloody area near a city park. Read more.
Bevers-McGivney reportedly slit the teen’s throat in Farnhamville on September 25, 2024, a day before police discovered her body.
Jackson’s family was searching for her when they found Bevers-McGivney covered in blood and carrying some of Jackson’s belongings.
He requested a lawyer after police questioned him about the blood on his clothing.
Upon investigating Bevers-McGivney’s apartment, authorities discovered a knife handle entangled with hair and blood, along with blood evidence in the apartment on floors, in the bathtub, and on a towel.
Bevers-McGivney reportedly knew of Jackson through the community, but the pair did not have a prior relationship, according to the defense.
The victim’s family said she had been visiting the park that day, and when they later found the defendant, he was pushing the green scooter that Jackson had taken to the park.
The defense unsuccessfully argued that the killing was spontaneous and did not constitute first-degree premeditated murder. Rather, they pushed for a second-degree murder conviction.
The prosecution argued that he went to the park with a knife, with the intent to cause harm, which constituted the evidence needed for a first-degree murder conviction.
Jackson’s mother’s sobbed during a victim impact statement during sentencing, saying, “My daughter paid the price for your life’s holes. She was bullied, went through mental health struggles, and wanted to make a better life. You wanted to take a life.”
Jackson’s sister, Shawna Bachman, said, “As Michele’s big sister, it haunts me that I wasn’t able to protect her from you, that I wasn’t there when it mattered most.
“Not only did you take her life, but you took her family’s too. Our lives now have a giant piece missing, and we will never be whole again.”
In addition to life in prison, Bevers-McGivney received an additional 10 years, which will run consecutively.
[Feature Photo: Michele Jackson/Family Handout]
