Mechele Linehan sentencing delayed until Wednesday

By Dennis Zaki

The sentencing phase for convicted killer Mechele Linehan started Friday with a standing-room only crowd of family, friends, spectators, and lots of media.

Linehan was convicted on October 22, 2007, of murdering a former boyfriend and client from an Anchorage strip club in 1996.

Photo Gallery of sentencing (16 pictures) >>>

Superior Court Judge Phillip Volland first had forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Mills, hired by the defense, take the stand. Mills said that it's unlikely Linehan killed or plotted to kill her former boyfriend in 1996.

Prosecutor Pat Gullufsen didn't like that line of testimony and second-guessed Dr. Mills repeatedly.

Dr. Mills conducted multiple psychological tests on Linehan and testified that Linehan has an above average intelligence but that she's naïve.

He also claimed Linehan does not exhibit characteristics of a killer or someone who would plot to murder. "She is unlikely to be someone who schemed or planned the murder of anybody."

During She and another former boyfriend John Carlin III were convicted of conspiring to kill Kent Lepplink in 1996 for a $1 million life insurance payout. The plot prosecutors say was to collect an insurance policy payout.

Linhan faces between 20 to 99 years in prison for the death of Leppink.

Update:

Judge Volland recessed Linehan's sentencing until next Wednesday after Friday's testimony ran long.

© AlaskaReport.com All Rights Reserved.