SALINAS >> A random attack on two people in King City about two years ago that left one man dead and another injured resulted in the murderer being sentenced to 76 years to life in prison.

On Sept. 14, 2022, two brothers in town for work in King City were staying at a Motel 6. After returning from dinner at their sister’s house, the two stood outside their room talking as Kevin James Powell parked his car nearby. The men paid no attention to Powell, as he was a stranger to them. He stepped out of his car, rummaged in the rear passenger seat and emerged with a three-foot axe and started attacking them with it. One of the brothers ran, escaping with minor injuries, but his sibling tripped, suffered serious injuries from the assault and later died at the hospital.

Powell was convicted by a jury in December of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. The jury further found Powell used a deadly weapon, and that the crimes involved great violence, great bodily harm or a high degree of cruelty, viciousness or callousness. The court also found Powell had a prior strike conviction for street terrorism.

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Friday that Judge Rafael Vazquez had sentenced Powell to state prison for the crimes. This case was investigated by former King City Detective Juan Rodriguez and District Attorney Investigator Dominique Hohmann.