STOCKTON, CA — A Stockton man was sentenced Monday to 55 years to life in state prison for the first-degree murder of Derrick Walthall, who was fatally shot while seated in his wheelchair, prosecutors said.
Henry Heath was convicted of first-degree murder and personally and intentionally using a firearm to cause death in the March 31 shooting, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Seth Hoyt presided over the trial and sentencing.
Stockton police officers responded to South Commerce Street shortly after midnight following reports of a shooting and found Walthall, an amputee who used a wheelchair, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, prosecutors said.
Walthall was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators used surveillance footage and vehicle-tracking technology to identify Heath as the shooter, according to authorities.
Police said Heath was later arrested April 7 while traveling toward Sacramento with Amanda Chapple, who was also arrested.
Chapple was convicted of being an accessory to murder and sentenced to five years and four months in state prison, prosecutors said.
Brian Hansen, who prosecutors said helped Heath after the shooting, previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. He also was sentenced to five years and four months, the DA's office said.
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