Man gets 10-year sentence in deadly Columbia shooting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to a deadly shooting.

Aaron Harris pleaded guilty in late April to first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of E'quan Spain, 19, on Sept. 14, 2019.

Prosecutors had asked for 10 years in prison, while Harris' defense attorney asked for four years. Harris was initially charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Ten years is the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter.

Investigators said Harris was driving a car when his passenger, Michael Anderson, accidentally shot Spain in the backseat. The men were allegedly preparing for a gunfight.

During sentencing, Spain's mother defended the character of Harris and said that he was like a brother to her son and should be a free man.

Harris' employer, William Sheales, owner of Murray's restaurant, said during sentencing if Harris was to get probation that he would have a job waiting for him at the establishment.

Judge Jeff Harris said he knew the defendant worked to present a strong case, but he has to consider his criminal history when deciding the sentencing.

"Between the ages of 17 to 26, the defendant had 6 misdemeanor convictions, two of which were assaults. There were five other arrests including three weapons-related arrests," said Judge Harris.

Spain was taken to a hospital where he later died. Anderson died last year in prison.

Both Harris' family and his defense attorney, Matt Uhrig, did not wish to comment.