Racine man who strangled neighbor with electric cord will spend life in prison

(AP) — A 50-year-old Racine man who authorities say strangled his neighbor with an electric cord will spend the rest of his life in prison.

A judge Tuesday sentenced Harry Fumich to life in prison with no chance of release.

Fumich pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide. The Journal Times reports he declined to speak at sentencing.

Fumich confessed to strangling Kim Cantwell last October and dumping her body in a trash bin behind a supermarket. Police discovered Cantwell's body in a garbage truck the next day.

Deputy District Attorney Maureen Martinez says Fumich believed Cantwell owed him money and planned the killing.

Public defender Mindy Nolan said Fumich had a troubled upbringing and was "truly remorseful."

Judge Emily Mueller called the killing "a chilling crime" while imposing the maximum penalty.