RUSSELLVILLE – A Logan County man convicted of killing his sister-in-law and dumping her body in a nearby river was sentenced Thursday to 55 years in prison.

George Walker, 22, of Adairville, returned to Logan Circuit Court for final sentencing on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Walker was accused of strangling Allison Walker, 23, on Dec. 21, 2015, at the house on Conn Road home where she, George Walker and her husband, Chris Walker – George Walker’s brother – lived together.

Allison Walker’s body was found wrapped in a tarp in the Red River near the house the following night by a team of Logan search and rescue workers.

A jury found George Walker guilty of both counts at a trial in January and recommended a 55-year sentence – the strongest penalty other than life imprisonment that could have been imposed.

Jurors fixed a 50-year sentence on the murder charge and five years for the tampering count, with both sentences to be served consecutively.

“(The jury) felt like they had to send a clear message to the court,” acting Logan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Justin Crocker said during Thursday’s sentencing.

Lasting more than a week, the trial featured video of a confession that George Walker gave to Logan County Sheriff’s Department investigators in which he admitted to the slaying and told authorities where the body could be found.

George Walker’s attorney, Nathan Beard of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, argued at trial that his client’s confession was an attempt to lead investigators away from his brother, whom Beard posited was actually responsible for the crimes.

Chris Walker, testifying for the prosecution, denied any involvement in his wife’s death or handling her body afterward.

George Walker did not give a statement at the sentencing when offered an opportunity by Logan Circuit Judge Tyler Gill.

“This was a difficult trial for the families involved,” Gill said in court. “It’s a deep mystery, not so much as to what happened, but why … I think the jury would have liked to know why.”

Gill noted that George Walker’s downcast demeanor at sentencing mirrored what he observed at trial and that he appeared to have little trust for anybody.

“I wish I knew more about why this happened,” Gill said. “We’ve got to let society know that there’s a big penalty for stealing someone else’s life. … I hope you find yourself and learn to trust somebody.”

– Follow courts reporter Justin Story on Twitter @jstorydailynews or visit bgdailynews.com.