Convicted killer wants sentence reduced

A prosecutor says he may be eligible for a 15- to 25-year term. The victim's brother argues that anything short of his life sentence is too lenient.

By CHASE SQUIRES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 15, 2001

DADE CITY -- The brother of a murdered man squared off against the convicted killer's ex-wife Friday, both trying to persuade the judge to see their side of a barroom argument that turned deadly back in 1997.

Worlen Guy "Rusty" Knighten, 71, was sentenced in 1998 to spend the rest of his life in prison for killing Michael Molter, 50, in a shooting at the S&F Liquor Store in Lacoochee. He was back in court Friday seeking a drastically reduced sentence under guidelines that were in place at the time of the 1997 shooting.

Prosecutor Manny Garcia said Knighten may be eligible for a sentence of anywhere from 15 to 25 years instead of the life term he is serving.

But for Molter's brother, Phil, anything less than life is too little.

According to testimony during Knighten's trial, Michael Molter and Knighten had been at odds for a year before the May 10, 1997, encounter in the bar. According to Knighten's testimony at trial, Michael Molter grabbed him from behind and began to beat him.

Prosecutors said that when a bartender got the bigger man off Knighten, Knighten got angry, pulled out a .357-caliber pistol and shot Michael Molter. His friends beat Knighten with a pool cue after the shooting.

Knighten argued self-defense, but the jury convicted him of first-degree murder.

"My brother shook this fellow, the barmaid said to let him go, he let him go. He showed him mercy," Phil Molter told Circuit Judge Maynard Swanson on Friday. "I'm asking you to give him the maximum that you can; it's obvious he's not going to show anyone any mercy. He's a mean old man. He should go back to the cage where he's been."

Turning to Knighten, holding a picture of his brother's grave, Phil Molter added, "This is what you did to him. Take a good look, buddy. Take a good look."

Knighten's ex-wife, Johanna Chancey, told the judge that Knighten is a good man and a good father who was the victim of a bully.

"If you were mugged, I'm sure you would try to defend yourself," Chancey told Swanson.

Swanson said he will hear additional evidence and make his ruling Friday.

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