New Zealander Clinton Thinn has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of murder in the United States.
Clinton Thinn Photo: Supplied / Instagram
The 30-year-old was found guilty of strangling his cellmate with a prison shirt.
The judge in the San Diego Superior Court also ordered Thinn to pay Lyle Woodward's funeral costs, of $2700.
Prosecutor Karra Reedy told the court that Thinn was dangerous and had made threatening remarks in a probation interview.
But his lawyer said the comments had been misunderstood.
Clinton Thinn is the stepbrother of National MP, Nikki Kaye.