Kingman man gets prison for beating disabled roommate to death

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A 20-year prison term was imposed Friday for a Kingman man convicted in the beating death of his disabled roommate. Robert Adkins, 53, was sentenced by Mohave County Superior Court Judge Steve Conn.

Adkins was convicted of vulnerable adult abuse and second-degree murder in the Christmas Eve 2013 death of Michael Sudkamp, 53.

The prosecutor and medical examiner told the jury that the 27 rib fractures and other injuries suffered by the victim were inconsistent with Adkins’ claim that Sudkamp was hurt during falls in the home they shared.

“The jury got it wrong,” Adkins told the judge, continuing to maintain his innocence. “I certainly didn’t harm him in any way, shape or form.”

Conn said he opted for a higher range of punishment as he agreed with the prosecutor that Sudkamp was unable to defend himself and that the injuries caused significant suffering before his death.