Sigmund Rumpf, of Hastings was sentenced in July, 2015 to 120-180 months in prison for Manslaughter, 24-48 months for Carrying a Concealed Weapon and separately he was sentenced to two years for Felony Firearm. The sentence was in relation to the shooting death of Steven Kauffman.
Rumpf will be back in Barry County Circuit Court after the Michigan Court of Appeals remanded the case for resentencing based on Michigan Sentencing Guideline offense variable (OV) 19 “interference with administration of justice.”
Judge Amy McDowell scored OV 19 at 10 points after she found that Rumpf interfered with the administration of justice by telling a witness “don’t tell anyone.” The Court of Appeals found that a preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the defendant interfered with the administration of justice.
Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said that their office has reviewed the Court of Appeals decision and is considering its options. Other issues raised by Rumpf on appeal, including the admission of past actions by the deceased victim, ineffective assistance of counsel and error in jury instructions were denied by the Court of Appeals.
A date for the resentencing has not yet been set.
