The verdict was handed down by Judge James R. Hartenbach last Thursday, Jan. 22. Beck, accused of strangling a Warren County woman in June 2006, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wright did not seek the death penalty. The hearing was held Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Montgomery County. The murder of 33-year-old Stacie E. Hough occurred in the 100 block of Dorry Drive off South Highway 47 on June 10, 2006. Police said an argument between Beck and Hough turned deadly when Beck began choking her with his hands. He later strangled her with a cord from a hair dryer. Wright described Beck, 36, as a "violent, dangerous person." Beck had a lengthy criminal history, including several stints spent in the county jail between 2001 and 2005. He also had previous run-ins with police in California and Minnesota. "The greatest relief from a public standpoint is he's not going to get out any time soon," Wright said. The case was moved to Montgomery County from Warren County. In August 2008, Beck waived his right to a jury trial leaving Hartenbach to decide the case. Law enforcement authorities said Beck and Hough lived together at Hough's trailer and had a relationship for about three months. Hough was married at the time of the murder, but was separated from her husband. She had a 4-year-old daughter who was visiting her father at the time of the murder. Beck testified that killing Hough was unintentional and said that he and Hough were under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. Wright, however, said Beck had numerous chances to keep from killing Hough. After choking Hough for two to three minutes with his hands, Wright said Beck looked at using a lamp cord before walking to the bathroom and grabbing the hair dryer. "This guy not only did it with his hands, but went through a thought process, 'Oh, that's not working and I need to get something to finish it off,' " Wright said. "I think he had numerous opportunities and choices where he could have walked away from this and Stacie would still be alive. Unfortunately, he chose to take Stacie's life. That is the very sad part about this." Also during last week's hearing, Wright said Beck's ex-wife, Jessica Harris, testified and said Beck called her after the murder. Beck told her he would kill her if he ever got out of jail, Harris said. Beck reported the murder on Sunday, June 11, at 6:15 p.m. He was interviewed a first time by police and told authorities he wasn't involved and gave an alibi. The following day, upon questioning by authorities who found inconsistencies in Beck's story, he admitted guilt but was determined to be legally drunk. After spending a night in the Warren County jail, Beck was interviewed a third time the next morning.