GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — An Ada man convicted of second-degree murder in a deadly road rage beating death could spend the rest of his life in prison.
A judge Monday sentenced 19-year-old Christian Hillman to 22.5-100 years in prison for the murder of 64-year-old William McFarlan.
It took a jury of 10 men and two women a half-hour to deliberate before convicting Hillman last month.
McFarlan died from a head injury about a month after the Sept. 29 beating on Whitneyville Avenue in Caledonia Township, the medical examiner testified.
The defense team said McFarlan had been tailgating Hillman’s dirt bike and tried to run him off the road before the confrontation. Hillman also told police McFarlan put his hands around his neck and he was acting in self-defense.
However, the prosecution team focused its final trial arguments on the lack of injuries Hillman had in comparison to McFarlan. The assistant prosecutor said Hillman beat McFarlan for more than seven minutes and pulled down his pants and underwear.
The assistant prosecutor also said Hillman was proud of his assault on McLachlan, asking someone to take pictures of his bloody hands afterward.
During the recorded police interview, Hillman could also be heard asking an officer to “get my good side” during evidence photos.