ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT)--Anthony Hickey pleaded guilty today to Second Degree Murder. He killed Kathy Crowley back in 2007. She was his girlfriend at the time. Hickey also pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery.

The judge sentenced Hickey to 21 years in prison. He must serve at least 17 years before he's eligible for parole.

District Attorney General DaveClark says the state is pleased with the sentence, "Given the evidence, all the factors of the case, and the limits of the system we have to work with, the state is very pleased with the outcome, but no punishment is sufficient to compensate for the loss of someone's life."