Luke Abrams is now appealing the seven-year jail sentence he received on Oct. 16 for his part in the murder of Harold “Uri” Sellers during last year’s Veishea celebration.

“I am not sure of the grounds of the appeal as of yet,” said Assistant Story County Attorney Stephen Holmes. He said only that the appeal was in the early stages.

Holmes did say Abrams had a period of 45 days to file an appeal after his sentence was handed down.

As it stands, Abrams will be out of prison by his 25th birthday if he serves his full sentence. However, it is possible he could be released in as little as four years.

Abrams pleaded guilty to going armed with intent to commit a crime and to being an accessory after the fact. He had previously been charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder, but he agreed to testify against Michael Runyan in exchange for lesser charges.

Abrams and Runyan, both of Fort Dodge, had come to Ames with a few friends for the annual Veishea celebration.

After a night of drinking, Abrams, Runyan and Sellers were involved in an altercation in front of the Adelante fraternity house, 318 Welch Ave.

Abrams and Runyan, along with Jason Marsh, also of Fort Dodge, were passing by the Adelante house when Abrams and a person on the balcony of the house began arguing.

Words were exchanged, and Abrams, Marsh and Runyan left the scene. They returned to their van where Runyan got the knife he used to kill Sellers.

Runyan took the knife, and the three men returned to the Adelante house.

Marsh then left the scene. Abrams said he stayed with Runyan only to “keep him out of trouble.”

A second altercation occurred and ended with Runyan stabbing Sellers once in the chest. After the fight, Runyan and Abrams ran back to the van and left town with the rest of their group.