St. Paul Man Sentenced for Rape, Murder

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Twin Cities man has been sentenced to more than 34 years in prison for killing a woman last year.

The Star Tribune reports 25-year-old Sammy Henderson pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder with intent in the death of Sherell Montrese Craighead.

The police complaint says Henderson told authorities he had a casual relationship with Craighead. He tells police he raped 30-year-old Craighead in August. He says he ignored her pleas to stop and grabbed her neck.

The medical examiner's office ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.

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