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Derrick Earnest, 61, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Holly Snowgren, 49, in Des Moines.

Earnest beat and stabbed Snowgren to death in April 2024, captured on surveillance video.

Earnest had a history of violence toward Snowgren and declined to speak at his sentencing, where her mother and sisters gave statements.

Christine Sodders says she once received a text message from her daughter's abusive boyfriend, telling her she would wish her daughter had never been born.

As Derrick Earnest, 61, of Des Moines was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 20, in the slaying of Sodders' daughter, Holly Snowgren , she turned that wish back on him.

Earnest beat and stabbed Snowgren, 49, of Pleasant Hill, to death in a Des Moines alley as she pleaded for mercy in April 2

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