DILLON, Mont. (AP) A 21-year-old man who stabbed his father to death during an argument in Waterloo has been given a three-year deferred sentence and has been ordered to participate in a state-run boot camp program.

Cody Eckles was initially charged with deliberate homicide in the Oct. 28, 2008, stabbing death of his father, 52-year-old Robin Eckles. But as part of an agreement with prosecutors, the younger Eckles pleaded guilty in July to negligent homicide.

District Judge Loren Tucker said yesterday (Thursday) that the fact Eckles had no criminal history and showed extreme remorse weighed heavily on his decision.

Margaret Eckles testified her son moved back to Waterloo southeast of Butte to help his father while he was going through eye surgery. She said her son was a kind person who was not prone to violence but had a troubled relationship with his abusive father.

Information from: The Montana Standard, http://www.mtstandard.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-06-09 0415CST | save this article / add to your favorites list