Titonka man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder appeals judgement

GARNER — A Titonka man sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder is appealing the judgement in his case.

58-year-old Monte Eckels was charged with first-degree murder after being accused of fatally stabbing Leallen Bergman of Ventura while inside a residence at 275 4th Street Southeast in Britt on the night of March 4th 2023.

Eckels as part of a plea agreement in October filed a written plea of guilty to the charge of second-degree murder, a Class B forcible felony, with Eckels later being given the mandatory sentence of 50 years in prison with a minimum of 35 years having to be served prior to being eligible for parole.

Eckels last week filed a motion in arrest of judgement in Hancock County District Court, challenging the plea agreement on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel. Eckels in the motion says he did not fully understand the plea and the penalties associated with the agreement. He also says his attorney erred in accepting the plea agreement with Eckels’ diminished mental state. Eckels had been ruled incompetent to stand trial in May, but a judge in September found his competency had been restored through medical treatment.

Court records do not currently show any further proceedings scheduled to address the motion.