(KXLG – Watertown, SD) Amanda Walder, 35, will continue to serve her 20-year sentence for the 2023 death of 17-month-old Liam Koistinen, after her motion to modify the sentence was denied today in Codington County Circuit Court. The ruling comes on the actual two-year anniversary of her original sentencing.
Walder’s defense team, led by court-appointed attorney Don McCarty, sought a reduction in her term at the Women’s State Penitentiary. Sargent, in an affidavit filed July 9, described Walder as “one of the highest quality clients I’ve ever represented,” asserting his belief that she “never intended to cause harm” and that the circumstances were “situational.”
McCarty reiterated these points in court, emphasizing Walder’s demonstrated remorse and arguing that restitution payments would be better facilitated upon her release. He also highlighted Liam Koistinen’s pre-existing medical complications and the challenging environment of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the lack of socializing at other daycares, suggesting that a 10-year sentence, aligning with second-degree manslaughter penalties, would be sufficient to achieve sentencing goals.
However, Assistant Attorney General Lindsey S. Quasney, representing the State of South Dakota, strongly objected to any modification. Quasney emphasized that the initial 20-year sentence was for violent actions that caused the child’s death, not premeditated intent, and that Walder had received due consideration through her plea deal. She underscored the ongoing grief of Liam’s family, stating they are “serving a life sentence of grief.” Quasney highlighted that Walder, as a childcare professional, had choices on the day of the incident and could have discontinued care when she recognized her struggles. She also cited medical testimony from the original sentencing, indicating that the child’s injuries required “a multitude of rapid acceleration-deceleration events” or “hitting his head on a hard or rigid object at least twice or a combination.” The State argued the 20-year sentence was necessary for punitive and deterrence purposes.
Walder, appearing via Zoom, briefly expressed her remorse, emotionally stating, “I am remorseful. It was a tragedy. I am sorry for that.”
Judge Carmen Means noted that while the court retains jurisdiction for two years to modify a sentence, the standard for such modification hinges on what has changed since the original sentencing. Judge Means acknowledged its prior awareness of Walder’s lack of criminal history, strong family support, and positive evaluations by an expert doctor, who found no mental health issues or risk of future harm to people. She also mentioned that Walder is currently being held in a county jail instead of the women’s prison due to overcrowding.
Ultimately, the court found that the essential circumstances had not changed significantly enough to warrant a modification. Judge Means emphasized that the original sentence was not primarily for Walder’s rehabilitation, which was not deemed extensively necessary, but rather to address the severe consequences of a child’s life being ended by “cruel and in the heat of passion” actions, and to deter similar conduct.
Judge Means concluded that the 20-year sentence remains the least severe measure required to meet the goals of sentencing and, therefore, denied the request for modification.
