Man sent to prison in northwestern Arizona slaying
KINGMAN, Ariz. — A 21-year prison sentence was imposed Friday for a Long Beach, Calif., man who was convicted of second-degree murder in the November 2011 slaying of his uncle in Lake Havasu City.
The trial jury last month rejected 45 year-old Jeffrey Costa’s claim that he acted in self-defense when he used a drink tumbler to beat to death Wayne Lopez, 62.
Prosecutor Jeremy Huss said the brutal assault was nothing more than an “angry beat down” after Costa and Lopez shot pool and enjoyed drinks together.
Costa fled the northwestern Arizona city in Lopez’ vehicle and drove home to California before turning himself in a week after he killed his uncle.
