MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) _ An eastern Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison in the fatal shooting of his landlord in January 2014.
The (Muncie) Star Press reports that 60-year-old William Verlin Martz of Eaton was sentenced Thursday in the death of 50-year-old Mark Gilland of Eaton. Martz was convicted of murder last month. The sentencing judge, Delaware Circuit Court Judge Linda Ralu Wolf, referred to Martz's “truly dark character.''
Witnesses testified that Martz was angry that Gilland intended to evict him and would no longer allow him to live rent-free on the property. Gilland was found in a barn shot five times.
Public defender Jake Dunnuck requested a 45-year sentence, saying Martz had “substantial and significant health-related issues.''
