Randeep Mann Resentenced To Life In The 2009 West Memphis Bombing Of Doctor

Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, released this statement today regarding the re-sentencing of Randeep Mann, age 54, in the 2009 West Memphis bombing case. Mann was re-sentenced by United States District Judge Brian Miller to life plus 360 months to be served concurrently in prison on two bombing counts, 10 years on Counts 3 & 6 weapons counts. Count 5 was vacated in accordance with the Eighth Circuits' ruling. The rest of his previous sentence, 5 years on the obstruction counts and $100,000 fine, were unchanged. Mann was arrested on March 4, 2009, and has been in federal custody since that date. "A little more than two years ago, Randeep Mann was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 2009 bombing of Dr. Trent Piece in West Memphis. That was the appropriate sentence then, and it remains the appropriate sentence now. While my office respects the legalities that necessitated the re-sentencing hearing held earlier today, those legal issues do not change the violent, senseless crimes that were committed. Hopefully, the life sentence handed down today will mark the end of this case and bring closure to some very difficult times for Dr. Pierce and his family.

I want to recognize the efforts of prosecutors in my office as well as the many federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who worked on this case for many months. I commend them for their commitment to fully investigating and prosecuting this complex case. Specifically, my thanks go out to the Arkansas State Police, the West Memphis Police Department, the West Memphis Fire Department, the Pope County Sheriff's Office, the Shelby County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad. Additionally, I must also express my gratitude to the many medical personnel and professionals who ultimately saved the life of Dr. Trent Pierce."

Randeep Mann was convicted August 9, 2010, on multiple counts related to the use of a weapon of mass destruction against Dr. Pierce and his vehicle, possession of unregistered weapons, and obstruction. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Brian Miller to life plus 360 months in prison on two bombing counts, 10 years on three weapons counts and 5 years on obstruction counts. The weapons convictions included counts of owning an unregistered machine gun and possessing almost 100 grenades which were found near Mann's Pope County residence. On December 6, 2012, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Mann's convictions on the bombing, possession of unregistered weapons and obstruction counts. The Court ruled that Mann be re-sentenced on all but the obstruction counts because certain enhancements were applied to his sentence without sufficient support. The Court also ruled that one of two counts regarding the illegal possession of a machine gun be dropped at re-sentencing.