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One of three men who pleaded guilty in connection with the April slaying of an 18-year-old Salt Lake City man was sentenced Friday to prison for up to life.
Gaethan Laguerre, 26, pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter with a gang enhancement — reduced from murder — and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies, for his part in the shooting death of Jose Javier Fernandez.
On Friday, 3rd District Judge Keith Kelly sentenced Laguerre to five years to life on each count, and ordered the prison terms to run consecutively.
Laguerre, with co-defendants William Armstrong P-Graham, 21, and James Wellah Williams, 21, all went to Fernandez's home, near 200 North and 1550 West, on April 7.
P-Graham believed his girlfriend was sleeping with Fernandez, according to prosecutors, though that was not true. The perceived jealousy, however, fueled a confrontation.
P-Graham purportedly shot Fernandez first with a .380-caliber handgun, firing eight times.
Laguerre also shot at Fernandez twice with a 9mm gun, according to charges. Fernandez was struck eight times, Janzen said, and died at the scene.
Defense attorney Clayton Simms read a statement in court from Laguerre, in which he said, "I hated that gun. I hated myself for being so stupid. If I would've been more courageous, I could've possibly changed things. ... Someone died because I was naive and stupid, and slow.
"Now I just pray. I read a lot, hoping to find some sort of comfort. I want to go back to school. At prison, hopefully, I get that chance ... I hope this experience will help others to make better decisions, make the most out of their lives. That's what I plan to do."
Williams told police that he knew what P-Graham and Laguerre planned to do and that he helped by ushering children who were at Fernandez's house outside before the shooting, charging documents state.
Williams has pleaded guilty to two second-degree felonies: manslaughter with a weapons enhancement — reduced from murder — and burglary — reduced from aggravated burglary. The crimes are each punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Williams is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 4.
P-Graham has pleaded guilty as charged to first-degree felony murder, which is punishable by 15 years to life in prison. In exchange, charges of aggravated burglary, felony discharge of a firearm with serious bodily injury and obstructing justice were dropped.
Sentencing for P-Graham is set for Dec. 2.