Sentencing date set for Altersberger

By BRAD DICKERSON | Highlands Today
Published: May 22, 2009

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BARTOW --

The sentencing date for Joshua Altersberger is June 15 at 10 a.m.

Attorneys on both sides were back in Judge J. Michael Hunter's courtroom Friday to conclude the defendant's Spencer hearing. The case has now been turned over to Hunter, who will determine the ultimate sentence.

Altersberger pleaded guilty in March to killing Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Sottile on Jan. 12, 2007, during a Highlands County traffic stop. On April 2, a Polk County jury made a 9-3 recommendation of death for the defendant.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com