Melvin Madplume, Jr., sentenced to life in prison, no parole
Berl Tiskus
Melvin Madplume, Jr., enters the courtroom.
Berl Tiskus
Kayla Ridgley leaves the witness stand with a photo of her cousin Laurence Kenmille and two of his children.
Berl Tiskus
James Big Beaver is sworn in at Melvin Madplume, Jr.’s sentencing hearing. Big Beaver was a witness for the prosecution at the trial.
Berl Tiskus
Jolene Madplume, Melvin Madplume Jr.’s mother, speaks at her son’s sentencing hearing, and asks for parole for her son.
Berl Tiskus
Jolene Madplume cries at her son Melvin Madplume’s sentencing hearing on April 8.
Berl Tiskus
Surrounded by attorneys and law enforcement, Melvin Madplume, Jr., speaks at his sentencing hearing.
Berl Tiskus
Terry Hewankorn, Laurence Kenmille’s widow, speaks at Melvin Madplume, Jr.’s trial. Madplume was found guilty of deliberate homicide, a felony, in Kenmille’s death.
Berl Tiskus
Melvin Madplume, Jr., stands to hear his sentence of life without parole.
Berl Tiskus
Melvin Madplume, Jr., stands to hear his sentence of life without parole.
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POLSON — District Judge John Larson sentenced Melvin Madplume, Jr., 30, to life in prison with no parole for killing his cousin Laurence Kenmille on May 25, 2013. Kenmille was 28 years old when he was killed at Wild Horse Hot Springs near the town of Hot Springs.
Judge Larson from Missoula presided over the sentencing hearing on April 8 in the C. B. McNeil Courtroom. Madplume had been found guilty of deliberate homicide, a felony, by a jury of his peers on Feb. 25.
Prosecutor Jessica Cole-Hodgkinson called Kenmille’s family members to the stand, asked how they were related to Kenmille, how his death had affected them and what sentence they would like for Madplume.
First on the stand was Kenmille’s sister, Seline. She said Kenmille, who the family called “La, ” “was the energy of our family ... I can’t even tell you what you did to our family. It affects La’s kids; they’re pitiful. Their dad was everything to them,” Seline said, addressing Madplume.
Kayla Ridgley, Kenmille’s cousin, made T-shirts with a photo of Kenmille when he graduated from high school, and many family members wore the shirts.
Lydia Hewankorn, Kenmille’s mother-in-law, told Madplume, “The kids have questions for their Uncle Bug-Bug.”
Bug-Bug is Madplume’s nickname.
Kenmille and Terry, his wife, have four children. One daughter asked, “Why did you murder our dad?” Another said he made her really sad.
Hewankorn asked Madplume “If you can find it in your heart to write to them and put it in the Char-Koosta. They don’t understand ‘cause you were their uncle.”
Defense counsel Noel Larrivee asked Judge Larson to allow Madplume to write the letter, but to channel it through the children’s counselor and then Hewankorn.
Terry said she and Kenmille had been together for 12 years, “but he was my best friend before that ... I hope you get your justice,” she told Madplume.
Other family members who spoke were Laurence’s mother Alberta Caye, his aunt Zaneta Keplin, his grandmother Marie Kenmille, his sister-in-law Seneca Incashola, his cousin James Big Beaver and his brother-in-law Lonnie Old Shoes.
A poster-sized photo showed Kenmille holding his babies, and their words told of a young man who was a great dancer, who sang, who told jokes, who spoke to everyone, who loved his family and kept his finger on the pulse of the community. All the family members recommended life without parole so they wouldn’t have to see or deal with Madplume again.
Madplume’s family also spoke to Judge Larson, beginning with his sister Regina.
“I don’t want my brother to spend his life in jail. He should get out and be with family,” she said, adding that their parents taught them to be caring, loving and respectful of cultural ways.
“I just feel this whole thing is a big betrayal of my family,” Regina said.
At this point, Lake County Attorney Mitch Young asked Regina where Madplume was living when the murder took place.
She said at home and in Elmo.
Young clarified that Madplume was living with the Kenmille family and they were supporting him.
Only when his mother Jolene took the stand did Madplume show emotion, and he cried.
“I love my son with all my heart. He isn’t that kind of person. He didn’t attack us. In Browning, he didn’t attack my grandkids ... I don’t want my son to go to jail.”
Madplume had an opportunity to speak, and he said, “I’ll simply say on my own behalf, my heart is broken by the death of Laurence Kenmille.”
He added that healing does need to begin.
After Judge Larson sentenced Madplume and court was adjourned, the Kenmille family and friends met with the prosecutors.
They commented they were absolutely satisfied with the sentence and it was such a relief.
Marie said it wasn’t hard to testify.
“I was waiting for that moment to have my say,” she said.
Felicity Kenmille, Kenmille’s sister, noted that Kenmille’s family took Madplume in after his own family kicked him out.
“We gave him a bed, food to eat and a roof over his head,” she said.
Felicity’s 4-month-old baby girl was named Lauren after her Uncle Laurence Kenmille.
The baby’s fussing and cooing might start the healing process for the family.
“La can finally rest,” Felicity said.
