42-year-old Brian Madding was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Madding was charged with the 1st degree murder of 86-year-old Greta Putnam last year. Authorities say Madding stabbed Putnam multiple times while he was attempting to burglarize her home.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey says then detective sergeant (now the Oroville Police Chief) Joe Deal and detective Ray Stott put together a case that left Madding little choice but to admit to the killing of Putnam.