What's next for Jacob Seelinger?

Thursday's verdict that Jacob Seelinger is guilty of Second Degree Murder in the death last July of 47-year-old David Hansen of Freeport isn't the end of the legal process.

District Court Judge Richard Stochl has ordered a presentence investigation to be conducted in the case.  After that investigation is completed, there will be a sentencing hearing.

Seelinger was charged with First Degree Murder, but convicted of Second Degree Murder.  There's one significant difference between the two charges: unlike with First Degree Murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison, the a minimum prison sentence for second degree murder is 50 years in prison (a minimum of 35 years before possibility of parole).  However, in Seelinger's case, the crime for which he has been convicted occurred when he was 17 years old--an age which makes him considered a minor.  Because of that fact, there is no minimum sentence required for Seelinger--he could even be put on probation.

Seelinger remains in custody in the Winneshiek County Jail without bond.  Sentencing is likely to happen in two months or so.