San Diego
A Clairemont man was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in state prison for helping his friend stab his ex-girlfriend to death.
Tony Castleman, 23, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kenneth Johns for the June 26, 1985, death of Debra Huerta, 23. Castleman was convicted in March of second-degree murder.
His friend, Kevin McEachern, 27, also of Clairemont, was convicted of first-degree murder Feb. 25, and was sentenced by Johns on April 29 to 26 years to life in prison.
The body was found July 6 wrapped in a plastic garment bag near San Clemente Canyon. The victim was initially buried in the canyon, but was dug up two days later and left at the side of a highway after the defendants’ truck broke down.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Boles said Friday that Castleman had held Huerta down as McEachern stabbed her repeatedly.
Both defendants worked as tree trimmers in Clairemont.
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