Arizona man sentenced for killing neighbor with shotgun

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A Golden Valley man who shot and killed his unarmed neighbor was sentenced to 16 years in prison Friday.

Philip Martin, 61, was sentenced by Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle.

A trial jury rejected Martin’s claim that he was defending himself and his property when he fired one round from his 12-gauge shotgun at Steven Schwartz, 55, in October 2012. Martin argued that Schwartz exhibited an angry demeanor as he approached his home.

Prosecutor James Schoppman said Martin’s claim of self-defense was absurd and unsupported by law.

Martin told the court he’ll appeal his conviction and sentence and that his case “has been a buggery of justice.”