A 19-year-old Dinsmore man has been sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for murdering his former foster father in October 2017.

Judge Christopher Wilson imposed the sentence this morning on Duane Dean Gillespie, who was 17 when he shot 68-year-old Richard Dennis Falk to death outside Falk’s rural home near Dinsmore.

Gillespie.

Gillespie used Falk’s own gun to shoot him. The teen stole credit cards from the dead man’s pockets and used the cards to withdraw about $1,100 from Coast Central Credit Union ATMs in Eureka and Fortuna.

He also took Falk’s Jeep, abandoning the van he’d stolen a couple of weeks earlier from his former foster mother in Arcata.

Gillespie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, a firearms allegation and burglary.

Falk’s brother Eugene Falk, speaking during the sentencing hearing, said the punishment should fit the crime and Gillespie deserves a longer sentence.

“I think he should receive far more time,” Eugene Falk said. “He failed to consider Richard’s life … I hope he does learn something in prison. Personally, I doubt it.”

Public Defender Ben McLaughlin, representing Gillespie, said the teen had a terrible upbringing and has expressed remorse for his crimes. He took responsibility by pleading guilty, McLaughlin said.

“He hopes to engage in activities in the Department of Corrections to help him become a positive, contributing member of society.”

Paula Mattocks, Gillespie’s former foster mother and one of his victims, attended the hearing to support him.

“As his mom, I want to say I love him very much,” Mattocks said. “I hope he receives some sort of rehabilitation.”

Richard Falk was outside his home when Gillespie shot him four times with a rifle he’d taken from inside Falk’s house. Two bullets struck him in the head and two in the chest.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson was in court this morning for the prosecution.

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