Murder convict waives automatic case appeal

Convicted murderer Daniel Whalon stood next to his lawyer in a Burlington courtroom Wednesday, his first appearance before a judge in almost a year.

Whalon, 29, of Burlington chose Wednesday to waive the automatic appeal of his case to the Vermont Supreme Court and to serve out his sentence of 18 years in prison for the stabbing death of his neighbor Ralph Bell in 2011. Whalon will also spend a minimum of seven years on probation following his release from prison.

Whalon pleaded guilty in April 2014 to the second-degree murder of Bell, 54, near a railroad bridge, known as the Blue Bridge, between Winooski and Burlington.

Since Whalon's sentence involves the possibility for a lifetime on probation, his case was subject to an automatic appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court. Whenever a defendant receives a life sentence, an automatic appeal is triggered.

On Wednesday in Vermont Superior Court, Whalon told Judge Samuel Hoar that he understood all the rights he was giving up by waiving his appeal. The judge accepted the waiver.

During his sentencing hearing last November, Whalon apologized to Bell's family for his violent actions.

Through tears, he had said, "I accept responsibility and am willing to do my time."

Whalon is currently incarcerated at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport.

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• Burlington murder draws 18-year sentence
• Murder convict sentencing postponed
• Whalon pleads guilty to 2011 murder of Burlington man

This story was first posted on August 20, 2015. Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.