Minnesota man sentenced to 40 years in killing of Appleton college student

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MINNEAPOLIS - A Minnesota man was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for killing a college student from Appleton a year ago yesterday in Minneapolis.

30-year-old Tim Bakdash of Roseville was convicted last month of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Authorities said he got into a dispute with a man while leaving a bar near the campus – and Bakdash later aimed his car to whom he thought was that person. But the victim was someone different – 23-year-old senior Ben Van Handel of Appleton, a senior at the University of Minnesota. He died from brain injuries six days after the crash. Two women who were walking with him were seriously hurt.

District Court Judge Daniel Mabley of Minneapolis ordered a tougher sentence than prosecutors requested. Mabley said he was touched by a book about Van Handel’s life that his family and friends put together. Some of Van Handel’s friends wore light blue shirts in court marking the dates of Van Handel’s birth and death. Afterward, his sister Rachel told reporters she’ll be quote, “walking for my brother” when she graduates next month from UW-Madison.

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