Maximum Sentence For Man Who Killed Cab Driver

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man convicted of killing a cab driver on Indianapolis's east side was sentenced to 70 years in prison on Friday.

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Previous Images: Body Found In Cab's Back Seat

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Kenneth R. Bartley, 48, was found guilty last month of voluntary manslaughter in the slaying of Herbert "Chuck" Coomer, 54, last November.

Bartley -- who was supposed to have been under house arrest at the time of the killing -- said he had stabbed Coomer in self defense after a disagreement over the cab fare.

Coomer's body was found in the backseat of his cab near Bartley's home. His family members were emotional outside of court on Friday.

"I don't believe my cousin caused this situation, but I do believe this man ended the situation in a cruel and unusual way," his cousin, Tim Ralston, told 6News' Derrik Thomas. "My cousin shouldn't have suffered the horrific death that man chose him to have."

Bartley was sentenced to 40 years for voluntary manslaughter -- the maximum sentence -- and 30 years for being a habitual offender. He said he would appeal.