Nielsen appeals ruling in quadruple murder

PARIS – A notice of appeal was filed Monday for Christian Nielsen, who was sentenced to life in prison for four murders he committed in 2006.

An appeal for the 32-year-old Nielsen was expected. He pleaded guilty earlier this month to four counts of murder and was sentenced to four concurrent life sentences in prison.

On Monday, Nielsen’s lawyers Ron Hoffman and Margot Joly filed a notice to appeal Justice Robert Crowley’s decisions on a motion to suppress and Nielsen’s competency. Crowley ruled that all of Nielsen’s statements except one were admissible as evidence and that Nielsen was fit to stand trial.

Nielsen entered a conditional guilty plea to the murders of James Whitehurst, 50, of Batesville, Ark.; Julie Bullard, 65, of Newry; Selby Bullard, 30, of Bethel; and Cindy Beatson, 43, of Bethel.