Waterloo Murder Suspect Gets 55 Years in Prison

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A 28-year-old Waterloo man convicted of murder has been given 55 years in prison.

Roderick Ward Jr. was sentenced on Monday in Black Hawk County District Court in Waterloo. Ward was convicted of second-degree murder and a weapons charge for the Aug. 2, 2014, shotgun slaying of 27-year-old Gary Wilson.

Authorities say Wilson was a friend of Ward who became drunk and argumentative early that morning. Prosecutors say Ward shot Wilson in the abdomen.