The man convicted in the stabbing death of a woman almost 25 years ago was sentenced to life in prison.

The sentence was handed down to 43-year-old Jack Nissalke of Winona, Minnesota on Wednesday. Minnesota state law makes him eligible for parole in 17 years. Court documents show Nissalke killed Sennenfelder at her Winona home in 1985. The documents show it was to silence her after she made incriminating statements against one of his associates.

The trial had been moved to Fillmore County. It was because of pretrial publicity in Winona. Nissalke's attorney says he will appeal.