Boulder – A Lyons man who told police he killed his neighbor to avoid being raped has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Prosecutors had argued that Willis Horn, 42, repeatedly stabbed Neal Blattner, 65, for money. Investigators said Horn killed his neighbor in a robbery attempt to fuel a drug habit.
Horn reported Blattner’s death on Nov. 20, telling authorities he found the body in Blattner’s home after checking on a suspected prowler.
He pleaded guilty in June to second-degree murder in a deal that limited the possible prison sentence to 40 years.
“What I did was wrong,” Horn said Friday in a weak, shaky voice at his sentencing hearing.
“I’m willing to take the punishment for what I did. I’m so sorry. I’ve hurt so many people.”
