Dalton Adam receives the maximum possible prison sentence

19-year-old Dalton Adam of Prairie Du Chien has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in connection with last year's death of David Hansen of Freeport and with last year's fight at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds.

Appearing before Judge Richard Stochl in Winneshiek County District Court Tuesday morning, Adam first entered a guilty plea to a charge of assault causing serious injury for an incident at the fairgrounds which preceded the fight with Hansen in Freeport.  The victim of the assault, Justin Bullerman, lost consciousness when Adam placed his arm around Bullerman's neck and throat.

The court appearance then took up Adam's conviction last month on a charge of voluntary manslaughter.  Adam told the judge "I am sorry for what happened.  I am not that kind of person."

Three of Hansen's family members took the stand to speak of the impact Hansen's death has had.  Hansen's father, Elmer, gave an emotional speech, saying he was "totally devastated" by the "terrific beating" of his son, adding that Adam "jumped on him and killed him."  Added Elmer Hansen, "I do not understand how that jury could come up with this decision and I probably never will."  Adam had been charged with first degree murder, but a Chickasaw County jury of seven men and five women returned a guilty verdict to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Judge Stochl then announced that he would impose "the maximum penalties allowed" for the combined convictions--five years for the assault charge and 10 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge, with the two sentences running back-to-back.