Quinton Young, 29, of Dixon’s Mill was sentenced to life in prison without parole by a jury in Marengo County Circuit Court on May 1.

Young was found guilty on April 28 of murder in the Sept. 28, 2006, death of 44-year-old Bobby Darrin Hayes.

Tonny Bouler, 32, of Dixon’s Mill, pleaded guilty to murder and robbery in this case earlier this year in a plea agreement. According to the agreement, he would accept a sentence of life without parole on the charge of murder and a 15-year sentence for robbery in exchange for testimony against Young. Bouler’s sentences will run consecutively.

According to Bouler’s testimony presented at Young’s trial, Hayes stopped to give Young and Bouler a ride. During the ride, Young asked Hayes for money several times, and Hayes said he did not have any. Young took his knife and held it to Hayes’ throat, and a struggle ensued. Hayes’ throat was cut, and the Ford Explorer the three were riding in veered into the ditch on the side of the road.

According to this testimony, Young dragged Hayes out of the vehicle into the ditch. Bouler stumbled out of the vehicle and ran into the woods. When he looked back, he saw that the vehicle was on fire.

The state fire marshal’s office determined that the fire was deliberately set, and that Hayes was dead before being burned in the fire. The two had taken Hayes’ wallet, which contained $100.