DENVER, N.C. -- A Lincoln County man who murdered his neighbor then set his house on fire to cover up the evidence is headed to prison.
John Paul Gaddy, 25, will serve at least nine years, but no more than 11 years, nine months for the July 2010 murder of 49-year-old Jimmy William Cole.
Gaddy is convicted of felony manslaughter and first degree arson in exchange for his guilty plea.
Officials say firefighters responded to a house fire in the 1100 block of Oakbrook Lane in Denver to find blood on the front porch and Cole's body near the doorway of the residence.
Gaddy will serve his time at the Piedmont Correctional Institute.
