GUILTY: College student admits to killing 77-year-old during robbery

Published: November 7, 2006

By CHRIS COLLINS
ccollins@bakercityherald.com

A 21-year-old Baker City man tearfully apologized to his victim's family and expressed his faith in God Monday in Baker County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to one count of murder in the June 2005 death of retired businessman Art Gugler.

Joshua Ryan Nickell was sentenced to life in prison with a 25-year mandatory minimum term after pleading guilty to one count of murder. He also waived his right to appeal.

Three counts of aggravated murder and two counts of first-degree robbery were dismissed as part of a plea agreement with the district attorney's office. Nickell could have faced the death penalty had he been convicted of aggravated murder.

Upon release from prison, Nickell will spend the rest of his life on parole. He also will not be allowed to possess guns or ammunition, and he will be required to provide authorities with a DNA sample. If his bid for parole is denied, he must wait two years between release applications, said District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff.

About 70 people, including Nickell's family and friends, and members of the Baker Seventh-day Adventist Church of which the Nickells are members, and about a dozen police officers, attended the 45-minute hearing.