Marine gets 2 years for shooting friend
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 10, 2009 10:14:32 EST

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A Camp Pendleton Marine has been sentenced to two-years in prison after he accidentally shot his best friend to death in Iraq.

Twenty-two-year-old Lance Cpl. Matthew Richard pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after he shot Lance Cpl. Steven Chavez in the neck on March 14, 2007.

At his sentencing Friday, Richard told the military judge he already felt imprisoned by guilt over what had happened.

Richard had said he accidentally discharged a shotgun in a barracks room as he tried to expel shells from it.

Ellie