Editor's Note: This story was updated to reflect the continuation of Austin Kelly's sentencing hearing.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The man convicted of killing a horse trainer at a Fonner Park stable will spend at least eight decades in prison.

Hall County District Court Judge Patrick Lee handed down the sentence for Logan Hunts Horse on Tuesday morning. Lee sentenced Hunts Horse to 64-94 years for his second-degree murder conviction and 24-40 years for his weapons violation. The terms will be served consecutively and add up to 88-134 years.

Hunts Horse admitted to authorities that he shot 62-year-old Todd Scherer in the stomach in March 2023 after he believed Scherer made sexual advances to his friends. Hunts Horse then left the scene, returned to rob Scherer and found the horse trainer still alive. One of either Hunts Horse or co-defendant Austin Kelly then used a baseball bat to “bash (Scherer’s) head in.” Kelly took Scherer’s wallet and the group split the money.

Scherer’s family didn’t want to talk on camera, but did share that he had only been in Grand Island for 18 hours at the time of his death. They added that he was beloved.

Defense attorney Adam Sipple argued that Hunts Horse was at the developmental level of a teenager, not an adult. He pointed out the defendant’s IQ of 63, that he experienced systemic neglect growing up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, that he had only a fourth-grade education and that he had permanent damage from head trauma. Sipple argued that the court impose the minimum sentence of 20 years.

Prosecutor Sandra Allen described the killing as “a violent, senseless crime.” She emphasized that Hunts Horse had several chances to help Scherer but never did. She argued that the court impose a lengthy sentence.

Lee gave a sentence that fit the state’s recommendation. He accepted the defense’s mitigating factors, but said the repeated violence of the crime warranted the long sentence. He described the killing as “completely avoidable” and said that instead of helping Scherer, Hunts Horse’s actions ensured his death.

A different judge granted 18-year-old Austin Kelly’s request to continue his sentencing hearing. It was originally set for Tuesday afternoon but will now happen the morning of August 14. He faces a minimum sentence of one year in prison and maximum sentence of 50 years.

Co-defendant Lane Harris will be sentenced the same day. He pleaded guilty to aiding consumption of a felony and faces a maximum of two years in prison.