The 43-year-old Wisconsin man who pleaded guilty to shooting and killing an Albert Lea High School graduate last October was sentenced to life in prison Thursday in Winnebago County Circuit Court in Oshkosh, Wis.

Mark D. West, of Winchester, Wis., who was sentenced by Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Thomas J. Gritton, will have no eligibility of parole.

West pleaded guilty in May to first-degree intentional homicide for shooting Ronald D. Lau, formerly of Albert Lea, five times with a 12-gauge shotgun outside a duplex at 9265 County Highway M in Winchester, Wis.

West, who owned the residence, was Lau’s landlord.

Court records state West had waited with a shotgun inside Lau’s side of the duplex until Lau came home from work the morning of Oct. 29, 2010. West was planning to tell Lau to move out when a confrontation began.

While Lau received five shots, it was the last shot — one from only three inches away to the back of his head — that ultimately caused his death.

After West killed Lau, he attempted a cover-up by burning Lau’s body, after first dragging it with a golf cart through grass 50 to 75 yards west of the home toward a field.

After West was unable to get Lau’s body into a 55-gallon burn barrel, he reportedly placed a large rug over the body where it remained near a field until police discovered it.

In addition to the life sentence, the judge also ordered that West submit a DNA sample. Restitution will be resolved within 30 days.

Assistant District Attorney Scott Ceman, who prosecuted the case, said he was pleased with the sentence handed down by the judge.

“I hope this provides some level of closure for Mr. Lau’s family,” Ceman said.