Convicted Murderer Gets 37 Years

PORT ANGELES - A man has been sentenced to more than 37 years in prison for killing his former girlfriend. Donald Schell, 34, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Friday. He was sentenced yesterday in Clallam County Superior Court.

Schell killed Marless Nelson, 39, on May 25 at an abandoned house where he was staying. Prosecutor David Bruneau said Schell was bitter and jealous because Nelson had broken up with him. Her relatives said he stalked her. Schell strangled Nelson and tried to break her neck. When she didn't die, he stabbed her with a pocket

knife.