A Central California judge sentenced a man to more than seven decades in prison on Friday after he was found guilty of using an axe to assault two brothers in a meth-fueled outburst, killing one of them.
Kevin James Powell was sentenced to 76 years to life in prison for the attack on the brothers on September 14, 2022, at the Motel 6 in King City, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
A jury found Powell guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder on December 12. In addition, the jury concluded that Powell had used a lethal weapon, and the court discovered that he had already been convicted of street terrorism.
The victim and his brother were in town for employment, according to the prosecution. After supper with their sister that evening, the two had gone back to their hotel when Powell parked close to the victims.
While the brothers were chatting outside their room, Powell found a three-foot axe in the back seat of his car and started assaulting the victims.
One victim fled with only minor injuries, according to the prosecution. After tripping and suffering severe injuries, the other brother passed away in the hospital.
Powell allegedly testified during the trial that he attacked the victims because of “methamphetamine-induced psychosis.”
King City is roughly 150 miles south of San Francisco and 50 miles south of Salinas.
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