A St. Joseph man was sentenced to 30 years prison Tuesday after previously pleading guilty to second-degree murder charges in a stabbing death last April.

33-year-old Nicholas Piper was sentenced Tuesday by Buchanan County Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg in reference to a fatal stabbing of a 45-year-old victim in April of 2020.

Piper was scheduled to go on trial this month before he entered a guilty plea in August.

Piper stabbed the victim several times in the chest in his apartment at 905 S. 14th St. shortly after 10 p.m. on the night of April 26, 2020.

Piper was charged with second-degree murder. A probable cause statement alleges Piper entered the victim's apartment armed with two knives. The victim was transported to Mosaic Life Care, where he was pronounced dead.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588270260153.jpeg" alt="Piper." />
 <figcaption>Piper.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man was sentenced to 30 years prison Tuesday after previously pleading guilty to second-degree murder charges in a stabbing death last April.33-year-old Nicholas Piper was sentenced Tuesday by Buchanan County Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg in reference to a fatal stabbing of a 45-year-old victim in April of 2020.Piper was scheduled to go on trial this month before he entered a guilty plea in August.Piper stabbed the victim several times in the chest in his apartment at 905 S. 14th St. shortly after 10 p.m. on the night of April 26, 2020.Piper was charged with second-degree murder. A probable cause statement alleges Piper entered the victim's apartment armed with two knives. The victim was transported to Mosaic Life Care, where he was pronounced dead.

St. Joseph man sentenced to 30 years in prison on second-degree murder charges