A Mobile man who last month admitted he beat another man to death with a shovel was sentenced to life in prison Monday, according to court records.

Morgan Daniel Barnhill, 29, admitted he attacked 25-year-old Etienne Murray at Barnhill’s Tillman’s Corner home in March 2022, beating him with a shovel, as well as a pipe and a 2×4.

Murray was left — still alive, but unconscious — on Barnhill’s property until police were notified several hours later. Murray was taken to University Hospital, where he died three days later.

Barnhill had befriended Murray a couple of weeks prior to the murder, hiring him to do odd jobs around Barnhill’s home. But when Barnhill became suspicious Murray had stolen items from the home, Barnhill used his girlfriend’s phone to lure Murray to a BBQ, where Barnhill attacked him.

During Monday’s sentencing hearing, an outburst from Murray’s mother led Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Brandy Hambright to briefly charge her with contempt of court and have her handcuffed, according to WALA.

As the mother, Linda Gayle, spoke of the impact of losing her son, she said: “I wish death upon every one of you,” according to the report. Hambright took that as a threat and had Gayle placed in custody, according to the report. Hambright ordered the handcuffs removed about 30 minutes later.

Under Alabama law, Barnhill will serve a minimum of 15 years before he can be considered for parole.