NorthwestJune 14, 2015

Associated Press

Associated Press

KALISPELL, Mont. - A 35-year-old Whitefish, Mont., man has been sentenced for setting his ex-girlfriend's house on fire in 2013.

The Flathead Beacon reported James Wallace Langley had earlier pleaded no contest to felony arson.

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District Judge Robert Allison handed down a 10-year sentence with five years suspended.

The sentencing came just weeks after Langley tried to withdraw his no-contest plea. Langley's attorney, Jack Quatman, argued that a district court judge displayed bias during a previously scheduled sentencing hearing.

At the initial sentencing hearing, the judge told Langley and his attorney that he would not follow the six-year deferred sentence under the plea agreement because of the seriousness of the crime.

Allison later denied Langley's motion to withdraw his no-contest plea.

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