The South Fork man who was convicted of killing an Altoona landscaper in May of 2023, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday.
Austin Kline returned to Cambria County court where chose not to speak during his sentencing hearing, as did his family, who was also in attendance.
Earlier this year, a jury found Kline guilty of first-degree murder in the “gruesome” bludgeoning of 55-year-old Richard Morgan — a landscaper whom Kline had reportedly hired.
Four members of Morgan’s family spoke at the sentencing, including two of his sons, his daughter-in-law and his wife.
Morgan’s family was emotional as Kline was handed his sentence.
District Attorney Jessica Aurandt said that, in her time, she has never seen a case “so deserving of the max sentence.”
The judge presiding over the case was emotional as well, saying the crime was “unspeakable.”