A Central California judge has sentenced a man to more than 70 years in prison after he was convicted of attacking two brothers with an ax during a meth-fueled rampage, killing one.
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that Kevin James Powell was sentenced to 76 years to life for the attack on the brothers on September 14, 2022, which took place at the Motel 6 in King City.
Powell was convicted by a jury on December 12 of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The jury also found that Powell used a deadly weapon and the court found that he had a prior conviction for street terrorism.
Prosecutors said the victim and his brother were in town for work. The pair had returned to their hotel after dinner with their sister that evening when Powell parked his car near the victims.
While the brothers were talking outside their room, Powell searched the back seat of his car, found a three-foot ax and began attacking the victims.
Prosecutors say one victim escaped with minor injuries. The other brother tripped, suffered serious injuries and later died in hospital.
During the trial, prosecutors said Powell testified that he attacked the victims because of a “methamphetamine-induced psychosis.”
King City is located about 50 miles south of Salinas and about 150 miles south of San Francisco.
