A 56-year-old man convicted in the bludgeoning death of his girlfriend 15 years ago has received what amounts to a life sentence.

Michael David Mattson of Superior won't be eligible for parole until he's 90.

He was convicted in February of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Myrna Jean Clemons in 1993.

On Friday a judge decided Mattson shouldn't be eligible for parole for 35 years.

Mattson was serving jail time with work-release privileges for two previous assaults on Clemons when she was beaten to death at their home with a piece of firewood.

In a confession to investigators in 2006, Mattson said he hit Clemons before going outside and leaving to work with his brother on their scrap-metal business. When the two returned, they found her dead.

When given a chance to make a statement to the court, Mattson said -- quote -- "God knows. That's all."