ATLANTA -- The man who attacked and killed a woman while dressed as Santa Claus was sentenced Thursday to life in prison.

A jury found Elkin Clarke, 52, guilty of murder last week.

Dubbed “Bad Santa” by the media, he was convicted of attacking and killing Annie Nelson, 74, with a board in December 2004 while he was dressed in a Santa Claus suit.

During Thursday's sentencing hearing Clarke argued with Fulton County Superior Court Judge Wendy Shoob, claiming he killed Nelson because she took chocolates from him.

On December 10, 2004, in what police and witnesses describe as a random, unprovoked attack, Clarke beat Nelson about the face and head with a 2-by-4 inch plank of wood until she lost consciousness. Nelson remained in the hospital in critical condition for six weeks where she died of her injuries on January 20, 2005.

Two Georgia State University students testified Tuesday they saw Clarke and the victim and they were the ones who called 911. Another witness also testified that she was scared she could be next.

Clarke was convicted of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and simple assault.