An Oklahoma man who admitted to strangling his friend to death, claiming the victim was trying to “summon Bigfoot,” has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Larry Doil Sanders, 55, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Jimmy Knighten, 48. The two men were fishing together on the South Canadian River in July 2022 when a dispute escalated into violence.
During the trial, Sanders testified that he believed Knighten was trying to feed him to Bigfoot. He claimed to have seen three Sasquatch-like figures near the riverbank and became convinced that Knighten was communicating with them.
In a state of panic and delusion, Sanders attacked Knighten, ultimately choking him to death.
Read: Missouri Man Murders Wife During Camping Trip, Transports Body To Kansas Before Calling Cops
“So, his statement was that Mr. Knighten had summoned ‘Bigfoot’ to come and kill him, and that’s why he had to kill Mr. Knighten,” Sheriff John Christian told NBC affiliate KTEN after the July 2022 murder.
Prosecutors argued that Sanders’ claims were a fabricated defense fueled by methamphetamine-induced psychosis. They presented evidence of Sanders’ history of drug use and erratic behavior, along with testimony from witnesses who stated that Sanders had made similar outlandish claims in the past.
The defense argued that Sanders acted in self-defense, driven by a genuine fear for his life. However, the jury ultimately rejected this argument, finding Sanders guilty of premeditated murder.
The case has sparked widespread interest and debate, with some questioning the role of mental illness in criminal responsibility. Others have expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of conspiracy theories and misinformation, which can sometimes lead to tragic consequences.
Knighten’s family, meanwhile, has expressed relief at the verdict and sentence. In a statement read in court, they described Knighten as a loving father, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed.
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