Judge Resentences Duluth Murderer to 16.25 Years
The court adjusted the prison term for Darrius Lamar Plummer following a successful appeal regarding sentencing guidelines.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Judge Leslie Beiers has sentenced 37-year-old Darrius Lamar Plummer to 16.25 years in prison for the unintentional second-degree murder of 25-year-old Chantel Moose. The new term reflects a reduction of 2.5 years after a court review of his out-of-state criminal history.
Why it matters
The resentencing followed an appellate court order requiring official documentation for out-of-state convictions used in the original criminal history score. This judicial correction ensures that the sentence complies with updated sentencing guidelines that took effect in August.
The judge included a forgery conviction from Illinois in the calculation while excluding a Michigan firearm possession charge. A 15-month custody status enhancement was applied to the final 16.25-year prison term.
The players
Leslie Beiers
She is the judge who presided over the resentencing of Darrius Lamar Plummer.
Darrius Lamar Plummer
He is the 37-year-old defendant convicted of unintentional second-degree murder.
Chantel Moose
She was the 25-year-old victim killed during the incident in downtown Duluth.
The details
Plummer was convicted by a jury in 2025 for the death of Chantel Moose, which occurred outside a downtown Duluth bar on April 12, 2024. The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction in August 2026 but remanded the case for this new hearing.
Timeline
April 12, 2024: The murder occurred outside a downtown Duluth bar.
August 2026: The Appeals Court affirmed the conviction and ordered a resentencing.
October 29, 2026: The judge heard legal arguments regarding the sentencing.
October 30, 2026: Judge Beiers imposed the new 16.25-year prison sentence.
Legal Context
This case follows the recent implementation of updated Minnesota state sentencing guidelines that require strict verification of criminal history. Courts in this jurisdiction now face more stringent procedural demands when incorporating out-of-state records into sentence calculations.
The local community is affected by the finalization of this criminal case after an extended appeals process. Residents may note the application of new sentencing guidelines as part of ongoing efforts to standardize judicial outcomes in Duluth.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of precise documentation in legal proceedings to prevent procedural errors during sentencing. It serves as a reminder that defendants maintain the right to appeal sentences based on the misapplication of criminal history scores.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings and local court activity, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Duluth News Tribune.
