Eric Osborn pled guilty of second-degree murder on June 29 in the slaying of his live-in girlfriend at Mobile Manor Park in March 2010.

Osborn, 29, was originally charged with first-degree murder, but he accepted a deal to plead guilty to second-degree murder — a Class B felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison. Judge Mitchell Turner sentenced Osborn to at least 35 years in prison before he is eligible for parole, the maximum penalty.

Osborn was found guilty of the murder of Sarah McKay, 34, after the couple drank beer, smoked marijuana, and took pills. According to police reports, Osborn told police he struck McKay in the head with a baseball bat, then strangled her to death because he didn’t want her to suffer.

Osborn told police he blacked out, and attempted suicide after realizing what he had done.

Osborn will pay court costs and $150,000 in victim restitution to McKay’s daughter. Osborn waived his right to an appeal as part of the plea deal, and the ruling may affect his previous probation.

Turner told Osborn that McKay’s murder was "a horrendous act."

"There is no sentence I can impose today that could bring her back," he said.

David McKay, the victim’s father, said the sentence will not bring him closure.

"You have taken our daughter from us," he said. "I don’t believe the sentence you receive will be adequate."

— by Aly Brown