A California man has been sentenced to more than 200 years behind bars for an “extraordinarily violent” murder of a 59 year old man, who was dragged with an electrical cord wrapped around his neck for more than 300 feet, according to authorities.
Kenneth McNally Jr, 42, received his sentence in San Diego County Court on Tuesday on multiple charges, including first-degree murder in relation to the killing of Samuel Holthaus, prosecutors said in a news release.
McNally was on probation following an attack on a dog with an axe and was residing on-and-off at trailers in the El Cajon area when he was observed “aggressively demanding rides off the property while appearing to conceal a weapon beneath a jacket” in September 2023, prosecutors said.
More than a year following the horrific scene, a witness informed authorities he witnessed McNally shoot Holthaus before tying an electrical cord around his neck and fastening the cord to his truck prior to dragging him approximately 329 feet to a grave.
Following the shooting, other witnesses said they discovered Holthaus’ head protruding from the ground, with the cord still wrapped around his neck.
Police discovered blood on Holthaus’ truck and marks that seemed to suggest something was dragged from the vehicle. Investigators also uncovered “coagulated blood and a pile of burned trashed.”
McNally allegedly attacked several other residents of the area in the days prior to the killing, the District Attorney’s office said.
Victim’s sister to killer: “I hope you meet your match in hell” At McNally’s sentencing, Holthaus’ sister painted a picture of her brother as a kind and generous soul, recalling how the pair would prepare food together for homeless people.
“There’s no time when Sam would go someplace empty-handed,” she told the court.
She also directed her fury at her brother’s killer, branding him “pure evil.
“You should never, ever be able to walk free on this Earth to terrorize another soul,” she said, turning to face McNally. “I hope you meet your match in hell.”
McNally was convicted on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an inhabited occupied vehicle, and assault by means to produce great bodily harm.
The judge handed down a sentence of 216 years to life in prison.