WAHPETON (AP) - A man charged in the 2005 death of a Hankinson woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder, unlawful entry into a vehicle and theft.

LeRoy Lockwood III, of Hankinson, who also lived in New Town, was sentenced Friday for the death of Brenda Livingood, 43, of Hankinson.

Judge Richard Grosz sentenced Lockwood to 25 years for murder, to be served in addition to five-year concurrent sentences for unlawful entry into a vehicle and theft of property.

The judge said Lockwood will get credit for time served since his arrest June 21, 2005.

Authorities said Livingood was stabbed at least once and appeared to have been beaten.

Grosz rejected a plea agreement last year that would have sentenced Lockwood to no more than 25 years in prison. Instead, the judge sentenced Lockwood to life in prison with a chance of parole after 30 years, and gave Lockwood a chance to reject the sentence or face trial. Lockwood asked for a jury trial, which was scheduled later this month.

Police said Lockwood and another man had helped Livingood move into her home the day before the killing. They partied that night and Livingood drove both men home. Authorities said Lockwood returned, entered the home through a window, and killed Livingood.

"All in all, we felt it was a good sentence and law enforcement was happy with the sentence," Richland County State's Attorney Warren Stokes said Friday. "Nobody's ever going to be happy with the complete thing, but I think it is a good thing imposed by the court."