By: Associated Press//August 12, 2015//
JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — A man charged with fatally bludgeoning his girlfriend in Janesville last year has been sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility in 45 years.
Clayton Courtney was sentenced in Rock County Circuit Court on Wednesday for the death of 21-year-old Britney Cross. Her body was found behind a building along the Rock River on May 4, 2014.
WKOW-TV says a statement from the victim’s family was read in court. Family members say that even though a year has passed, they are still devastated by Cross’ death. They asked for 40 years before parole eligibility.
The defense says Courtney has undergone significant changes during the last year in jail and doesn’t need 40 years behind bars. Courtney changed his plea to not guilty in May of this year to first-degree intentional homicide.