(AP) – A Hutchinson man faces nine years in prison for refusing to testify at a murder trial earlier this year.

A Reno County judge Thursday sentenced Jose Delcruz to nine years for contempt of court.

Delacruz refused in March to testify against Anthony Waller, who was later convicted of first-degree murder for the April 2010 death of Joshua Haines of Hutchinson.

Before Waller’s conviction, Delacruz was tried in the same case. He was convicted of aggravated robbery but acquitted of murder.

The Hutchinson News reports Delacruz refused three separate times to testify against Waller.

His attorney, Alice Osburn, said Thursday that Delacruz feared his testimony could be used against him if his case was sent back on appeal, or that it could lead to federal charges.