ST. PAUL — A Twin Cities man has been sentenced to more than 34 years in prison for killing a woman last year.

Reports said 25-year-old Sammy Henderson pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder with intent in the death of Sherell Montrese Craighead.

The police complaint said Henderson told authorities he had a casual relationship with Craighead. He told police he raped 30-year-old Craighead in August. He said he ignored her pleas to stop and grabbed her neck.

The medical examiner’s office ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.