A man charged in the 2012 stabbing death of a Chino Valley man will spend the rest of his life in prison.
The Prescott Daily Courier reports that 26-year-old James Rankin-McKnight pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in order to avoid the death penalty
At his sentencing late last week, Rankin-McKnight gave a brief statement apologizing to the family of Kim Cotter.
Rankin-McKnight's defense attorney says drug use drove his behavior.
Police say the 55-year-old Cotter was found dead in a "brutal" attack in November 2012.
Investigators arrested Rankin-McKnight and 23-year-old Ryan Skinner.
Both men lived in a unit adjoining Cotter's home.
A search warrant turned up evidence police said link them to the attack.
Charges of murder, burglary and evidence tampering were dismissed against Skinner.
