MINOT – Regina Goodale, 35, Minot, found guilty of Accomplice to Murder earlier this year, received a 40-year prison sentence at a hearing in North-Central District Court Wednesday for her role in luring her husband to his death.
Judge Todd Cresap, after hearing from the defendant’s attorney, the State, and several family members impacted by the death of Wade Goodale, Regina Goodale’s husband, addressed the court.
Cresap noted that Regina Goodale arranged for her husband, from which she was separated, to be beaten up by Matthew Anderson. Anderson used a pistol to kill Wade Goodale and was convicted by jury for doing so. He was sentenced to life without parole earlier this year.
"There was never any evidence that Regina wanted Wade killed,” said Cresap. “Still, it was a despicable thing to do, to have him beat up, to not call 911, and just walk away from a gunshot wound.”
The victim’s mother made a statement to the court, saying, “February 24 was the worst day of my life. My son was taken from me. Once Regina came out of hiding, she went partying like nothing had happened. The five kids still miss their dad.”
Steven Mottinger, Regina Goodale’s attorney, told the court that Regina Goodale was “just as surprised as anybody was when that pistol went off.” He recommended that Cresap sentence Regina Goodale to 20 years in prison with all but five suspended and credit for 517 days served in the Ward County Jail.
State’s Attorney Rozanna Larson countered that, “If not for Regina Goodale actions Matthew Anderson is not there. It’s everybody’s fault but hers. No accountability. No responsibility.”
The state asked for a sentence of life without parole.
