Bonnie, Ill. – A man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the death of his grandmother.

The Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s office says 44-year-old Timothy Newell previously confessed to killing Rita Newell last year. The County Coroner says Rita Newell was beaten and stabbed in the neck once with a knife.

State’s Attorney Douglas Hoffman says the family of Betty Newell is pleased with the sentence for first-degree murder.