Paul Anthony Buchannon was charged with malice murder and sentenced to life in prison today.

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A man who was charged with kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend and shooting her son and nephew last year was sentenced today to life in prison.

Paul Buchannon, 39, was arrested last July after a shootout with police by the railroad tracks near Hill City crossroads in Gordon County.

Buchannon's trial was slated for Monday, but Buchannon pleaded guilty and was sentenced this morning, said Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joe Campbell.

He received life in prison without the option of parole, along with 91 additional years, Campbell said.

Buchannon was charged with malice murder and multiple other charges including, kidnapping, burglary, car hijacking and aggravated assault.

On July 29, Buchannon had burst into 40-year-old Christy McKnight's home shot her 17-year-old son, Justin Anderson, and her nephew, 19-year-old Cody Adams, then kidnapped McKnight, police said.

Buchannon later killed McKnight and left her body along the railroad tracks, said Campbell. He also shot the two teenage boys but they weren't killed.

Public Defender Christopher Paul didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

For complete details, read tomorrow's Times Free Press.