Dech Gach Appeals 87-Year Sentence in 2021 Murder of Navy Veteran Larry Thompson

Dech Gach, now 20, is seeking a sentence reduction from the Nebraska Court of Appeals following his conviction for the 2021 killing of a Navy veteran. Gach, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, was sentenced in March 2025 to 87 years in prison for the murder of 59-year-old Larry Thompson. The appeal was officially brought before the court this week.

The conviction stems from a March 2021 incident in North Omaha. Prosecutors alleged Gach and other gang members traveled from Sioux City, Iowa, to Nebraska while searching for rivals. During the trip, the group encountered Thompson sitting on his front porch.

Thompson, a Navy veteran with no gang affiliations, was shot seven times in what authorities described as a random act of violence. Investigators found that Gach had never met the victim prior to the encounter. The shooting took place shortly after Gach’s probation monitor was removed.

During the original trial, the prosecution presented DNA evidence from a glove and ballistics that linked Gach to the murder weapon. He was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and firearm charges. The sentencing order issued last year stipulates that Gach will not be eligible for parole until at least 2060.

In the appeal filed this week, Gach's attorney, Jim McGough, argued that the 87-year term is excessive given the defendant's age at the time of the crime. The defense maintains that juvenile brain development should be a mitigating factor in sentencing for such cases.

The defense also questioned the reliability of the evidence identifying Gach as the primary shooter. McGough cited cellphone and Bluetooth data from the vehicle used during the crime to suggest uncertainty regarding the identity of the person who pulled the trigger.

State prosecutors have dismissed these claims, asserting that the evidence presented to the jury was overwhelming and conclusive. They maintain the vehicle's digital data was fully reconciled with forensic findings during the initial trial.

The case reflects broader tensions between juvenile law and the push for strict sentencing under President Donald Trump’s administration. Thompson’s family remains opposed to any reduction, calling the original verdict a necessary measure of accountability. A final ruling is expected by mid-2026.