The Region - News from April 10, 1986

Timothy Morris, 24, who has vowed to escape from prison, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Robert Shaw. Morris was convicted of murdering William Nye, 68, in his ranch home near Ojai last year. A jury had also found Morris guilty of robbery and burglary in the commission of the crime. The jury voted 7 to 5 two weeks ago against recommending the death penalty requested by the prosecution. Deputy Dist. Atty. Charles Roberts said Nye, who was crippled, was beaten to death in his bed with the leg of a wooden table and a fireplace poker. The probation report filed with the court said that Morris has stated that he will try to escape from prison and threatens to seek revenge on the judge and others involved in the case. After the sentencing, Morris said as he left the courtroom that he would get out of prison.