On September 6, 2018, Austin Murray pled guilty to Murder in the First Degree for the murder Ryan Hoven. Murray was originally sentenced to 30 years (360 months).
In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled the crime of possession of a controlled substance to be unconstitutional. As a result of having two prior drug possession convictions, Murray was entitled to resentencing on the murder. His original standard sentencing range for Murder in the First Degree was 338-450 months. However, after his drug possession convictions were vacated, his standard sentencing range was reduced to 281-374 months. Absent aggravating or mitigating circumstances a court is limited to imposing a sentence with the standard sentencing range.
On January 14, 2026, a resentencing hearing was held. Because he was the original sentencing judge, retired Judge Stephen Warning returned to handle the case. Both the State and Hoven’s father asked the Court to impose the original sentence of 30 years, which was still within his new standard sentencing range. Murray’s attorney requested a low-end sentence of 281 months. Judge Warning again imposed a 30-year sentence. The State was represented by Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Eric Bentson. Mr. Bentson and former Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tom Ladouceur originally represented the State in the prosecution of this case. Our office appreciates the excellent work of the Kelso Police Department detectives for their investigation of this crime. We continue to express our condolences to Hoven’s family for their loss.