MISSOULA — A 37-year-old Polson man who killed his father-in-law by hitting him in the head with a hammer has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
The Missoulian reports Desmond Alan Mackay was sentenced Thursday for the March 5, 2014, attack on 67-year-old John Barrows, also of Polson. Mackay pleaded guilty in September to mitigated deliberate homicide.
He has said he had been bullied by his brother-in-law and was waiting behind a door to hit him when Barrows walked in instead. Barrows was critically injured and died 10 days later in a Kalispell hospital.
During his sentencing hearing, Mackay said through tears, “I’ve destroyed my family. Sorry’s not good enough, but I’m sorry.”
Mackay will be eligible for parole in 25 years.
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