Man gets long prison term for murdering a counselor

CEDAR CITY (AP) — A man was sentenced to up to life in prison for his role in the fatal beating of a youth-home counselor in 2004.

Sean Graham, now 20, was convicted in May of murder, aggravated kidnapping and theft in the death of Anson Arnett, 31, a counselor at Maximum Life Skills Academy.

Fifth District Judge G. Michael Westfall sentenced him to 16 years to life in prison Tuesday.

Graham and fellow resident Jesse Simmons were 17 when they beat Arnett with a baseball bat and stuffed him in a closet before fleeing in a van.

Graham of Rockville, Md., and Jesse Simmons of Wilmington, Del., were sent to the academy by their parents to correct behavioral problems.

Arnett died in a Salt Lake City hospital, and the teens were arrested in Las Vegas.

Both were charged with capital murder but were not eligible for the death penalty due to a U.S. Supreme Court decision banning the execution of killers younger than 18.

Simmons accepted a plea deal and is serving five years to life in prison for first-degree felony murder.