Crime

Kansas teen gets 16-year sentence in younger sister's stabbing death

/ AP

SALINA, Kan. -- A 16-year-old Kansas girl has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison in the fatal stabbing of her younger sister.

Sierra Niehaus was sentenced Tuesday in Saline County, Kansas. She pleaded no contest in March to amended charges of second-degree murder, felony theft, and two counts of interference with law enforcement.

Prosecutors allege Niehaus fatally stabbed her 13-year-old sister, Galazia, at the family's rural home on Aug. 1, 2014.

The Salina Journal newspaper reported in March that Niehaus initially told police that three men were behind the incident, but later recanted, saying she had no memory of the night.

The 16-year sentence is the maximum Niehaus could have received in the case. Prosecutors said Tuesday it was the result of a plea agreement entered into after taking the wishes of Niehaus' parents into consideration, according to the Salina Journal.

First published on May 31, 2016 / 2:48 PM EDT

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