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An Arizona man has been sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for a brutal hate crime last year.
William Watchman, 23, of Fort Defiance, AZ, must also complete three years of supervised release. Watchman pleaded guilty on April 25.
According to the plea agreement, Watchman entered the victim's bedroom on Aug. 8, 2011, punched the victim three times, and then grabbed a clothing iron and repeatedly struck the victim in the face and body.
Watchman then stomped on the victim's head and left the residence. The victim suffered extremely serious, long term injuries.
In determining an appropriate sentence, Judge G. Murray Snow found that the crime was committed against a vulnerable victim, based on the victim's age and disability. The court found that Watchman's conduct was heinous and deserving of an enhanced sentence.
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