War veteran appeals his sentence for murder

An Iraq war veteran from Crofton who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his girlfriend last year is appealing his sentence, saying her death “doesn’t define who I am as a person.” In a handwritten application for a review of his life sentence — a mandatory sentence under Maryland law for those convicted of first-degree murder — Ryan Hollebon, 40, said he believes he should have an opportunity for release. A three-judge panel will hear his sentence appeal on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Hollebon pleaded guilty to killing his 28-yearold girlfriend, Jhalandia Butler, inside the Crofton home they shared in March 2017. The case encompassed a number of issues — ranging from caring for returning veterans with PTSD to how the state handles domestic violence cases. In his handwritten note, Hollebon touches on a number of these aspects and looks to spread the responsibility on everything to the heroin he was addicted to, to the medical conditions Butler had. He says the 3-judge panel should reconsider his “unrealistic/unfair” sentence.” Hollebon’s attorney, Jennifer Alexander, who was hired about two months after Hollebon filed his appeal, declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the state’s attorney’s office said prosecutors will argue that his life sentence is appropriate.

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