SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — A Nicholas County man who killed four people last year will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Nicholas County Circuit Judge Gary Johnson sentenced James Roy Belknap, 27, to four life sentences without parole and without mercy Wednesday.
Belknap plead guilty last month to murdering Steven Leroy Hendrix, his girlfriend, Amber Martin, and Hendrix’s two kids, Dakota, age six, and Kaylee, age four. The plea came days before his trial was scheduled to begin August 13.
Police said after shooting all four victims, Belknap then stripped the bodies and dumped them near his Leivasy home. The bodies were found in May 2012 after they were reported missing.
Police said the crimes were all about a drug debt that was owed to Belknap.