Arizonan sentenced in burglary associated with 2005 slaying

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- The first of two defendants charged in a northwest Arizona homicide case in which the victim's body was left in a Laughlin casino parking lot was given a 16-year prison term Thursday.

Matthew Beem, 31, of Kingman pleaded guilty to burglary and hindering prosecution in connection with the September 2005 shooting death of Alex Lackey, 74, of Golden Valley.

Beem conceded helping steal more than $100,000 in jewelry from Lackey's residence and leaving Lackey's plastic-wrapped body in a box sealed with duct tape in his vehicle in Laughlin.

But attorneys said it was Christina Cornwell, 48, of Golden Valley who killed Lackey with multiple gunshots.

Cornwell has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and burglary. She faces up to nearly 31 years in prison when sentenced Oct. 19.