(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2007 murder of his friend and neighbor.
He was first convicted of first-degree murder in May after evidence showed he fatally assaulted and stabbed his friend.
Despite his claims of innocence and lack of certain witnesses, strong evidence, including his fingerprint on the murder weapon, led to his conviction.
The prosecution could not use his confession as a witness at the trial. This is because that witness passed away.