A Cullman County man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for murdering his friend at a home in the Corinth community last year.

Isaac Wayne Hill, 20, pleaded guilty in Cullman County Circuit Court to murdering 22 year-old Wesley Shannon Taylor, Jr. Hill used a shotgun to kill Taylor after asking him to come to a house on County Road 1101 in northwest Cullman County. The murder occurred on March 12 of 2016.

An autopsy determined Taylor, a childhood friend of Hill’s, was killed by a single blast to the back of the head from the 12-gauge shotgun.

Circuit Judge Martha Williams sentenced Hill to 40 years in prison and ordered him to pay more than $13,000 in restitution, to be split between the victim’s family and the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission.

Cullman County Sheriff’s investigators testified last year that Hill had premeditated the killing following a breakup with his girlfriend, whom Hill allegedly had suspected of cheating.

Although Hill did not suspect the victim of playing a role in the alleged infidelity, said investigators, he remained emotionally agitated and elected to take out his anger on Taylor, who made a convenient target.

Investigators said Hill lured Taylor to the home by offering him money in exchange for a ride to another location. Once Taylor had called Hill to let him know he would soon be arriving at the house, Hill prepared to kill Taylor by taking the murder weapon out of a bedroom closet and positioning it just outside the bedroom door, said deputies.

A passenger, whom investigators described as Taylor’s girlfriend, allegedly remained with Taylor’s vehicle while Taylor went inside the residence alone.

Investigators said Hill admitted to asking Taylor to walk into the bedroom, and then to picking up the shotgun and following immediately behind him. According to their testimony, Hill further admitted to lifting the gun and firing it at Taylor while Taylor’s back was turned.

Hill then placed a call to 911 and waited inside the residence for law enforcement to arrive.

Hill waived his right to appeal the plea as part of the March 9 plea agreement.

 Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.