San Diego

A man who was convicted of second-degree murder for stealing a van and running over its owner was sentenced Thursday to 15-years-to-life in prison.

Dyrl Buckner, 20, of Ocean Beach, received the term from San Diego Superior Court Judge Daniel Kremer.

Buckner ran over William Nothomb, 48, on Jan. 15 after Nothomb heard someone tampering with his van and went outside his apartment on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach to investigate. He died several weeks later of multiple injuries.

Laurens Youmans III, Buckner’s attorney, argued that Nothomb was struck by accident.

Buckner pleaded guilty on June 13 to second-degree murder just as jury selection in his trial for first-degree murder was about to begin.

“You most certainly will be a danger to the people and property of others if not imprisoned. You have a lengthy record,” Kremer told Buckner.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Biery said Buckner has a long juvenile record and was on parole for battery with serious injury at the time of the incident.

Victoria Nothomb, the victim’s wife, 32, did not attend the sentencing, but submitted a letter to the judge.

“She did not want to see the defendant again, considering she was a witness to this killing,” Biery said.

Buckner could have had his sentencing delayed for technical reasons, but he told the judge Thursday that he wanted to be sentenced then.

“He’s anxious and wants to begin serving his sentence,” his attorney said.