Idaho man sentenced in killing outside Nampa drugstore

CALDWELL (AP) - A southwestern Idaho man was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder in a killing in July outside a drugstore in Nampa.

James Whitewater, 26, of Notus appeared Monday in 3rd District Court and must serve 19 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Police said Whitewater beat 25-year-old Pedro Martin of Nampa after Martin's girlfriend told him that Martin had broken her jaw with a beer bottle.

Following the beating, police said, Whitewater chased Martin several blocks to a Walgreens parking lot, where Martin was shot twice in the chest.

Under a plea deal, Whitewater pleaded guilty in December to second-degree murder. He was initially charged with first-degree murder.

Joshua Wasserburger, 26, who supplied the handgun used in the July 13 shooting, pleaded guilty in December to aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced last week to a maximum of 15 years in prison.

The judge in that case retained jurisdiction, meaning Wasserburger could be released within a year if he meets goals toward rehabilitation.

Another defendant, 32-year-old Wayne Canaday of Emmett, pleaded guilty last month to two counts of accessory to a felony. He's scheduled to be sentenced in early March.

As part of Whitewater's plea agreement, charges against two women, including Whitewater's wife, were dropped.

They had faced aggravated battery charges after police said they took part in the beer-bottle beating of Martin. Authorities said the two women cooperated with police and their part in the beating was minimal.