Minnesota teen gets life in execution-style slaying

Published 7:03 pm Tuesday, October 29, 2019

DULUTH — A teenager accused of killing a man execution-style in the woods of northeastern Minnesota has been sentenced to life in prison.

The body of Joshua Lavalley, 33, of Aurora was found on a snowmobile trail near Hibbing on Jan. 6. Authorities said he had been shot twice in the face.

St. Louis County Judge Mark Starr imposed a life term during Deshon Bonnell’s sentencing last week, but also included the possibility of parole after the 19-year-old from Hibbing serves 30 years.

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Authorities said an accomplice, Anthony Howson, told police that Lavalley made unwanted sexual contact with Bonnell’s girlfriend, Bailey French.

Howson said Bonnell and French led Lavalley blindfolded into the woods where Bonnell shot him.

Howson and French are also charged in the case.