CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One of the men found guilty of murder in the death of Marion woman Melody Hoffman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Friday.
Victim impact statements were read by Melody’s mother and father.
Before reading her statement, Megan Hoffman, Melody’s mother, could be seen placing a picture of Melody on the stand.
“You don’t deserve the word human. Humans feel empathy, humans know compassion, and humans value life. You have none of that, you are not human, you’re a monster, but even monsters have names. Your name has already been forgotten,” TJ Hoffman, Melody’s father, said.
The Case
Dakota Van Patten was found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony for the 2024 death of Hoffman…