A man lured his girlfriend to his apartment and then killed her. Now, he will spend as much time behind bars as she did walking the earth.
Recently, a Minnesota judge sentenced Derek Malevich, 42, to roughly 48 years in prison. He was convicted of killing 32-year-old Kristen Bicking. The two were in a relationship, and on May 12, 2021, he killed her in Virginia, Minnesota.
Malevich previously pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder and first-degree aggravated witness tampering, according to WCCO.
With credit for time served and good behavior, Malevich will serve about 32 years in custody, according to the Bemidji Pioneer. The symbolism was recognized by St. Louis County prosecutor Chris Florey.
"Sentencing him to anything less would be rewarding the perpetrator," he told the court, the outlet reported.
Malevich admitted to luring Bicking to his apartment and then killing her. But he said he could not remember many details because he was using meth at the time, according to the Pioneer.
Police said the victim was lured after police sued a search warrant at Malevich’s apartment and seized 120 grams worth of meth.
Malevich said the two were in an on-and-off relationship and he faced a pending domestic assault charge.
"I’m deeply sorry to the Bicking family," Malevich said, according to the outlet. "There’s nothing I can say. I wish we could have her back. This is devastating.”
Bicking’s family members spoke during the sentencing hearing, according to the Pioneer. Some asked for the maximum sentence for her killer.
"My twin sister Kristen was on track to be healthy and sober and, most importantly, really happy," Kara Renny said, the Pioneer reported. "She loved my daughter so much. She was such a great auntie. We will have pictures and memories, but my daughter won’t get to know my sister."
