Man sentenced in cousin’s death after argument over popcorn

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A man who got in an argument with his cousin over popcorn and struck him on the head with a baseball bat has been convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 48 years in prison.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports 29-year-old Richard Wilson was sentenced Thursday in Johnny Waits’ 2016 death. He was found guilty in October.

Wilson’s attorney says Waits had asked Wilson for some of his popcorn. When Wilson refused, the attorney says, Waits cursed at him, put a knife to his stomach and walked away. Waits is accused of returning, putting the knife to Wilson’s neck, and punching him in the face.

A court record shows Wilson retrieved a bat and struck Waits, who tried to stab him. Wilson swung the bat, hitting Waits in the head. Waits later died.

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Information from: Montgomery Advertiser, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

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