Teen Sentenced To Prison For Accidentally Killing Girlfriend
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JACKSONVILLE (CBSMiami/AP) — A teen who accidentally killed his girlfriend while the two were smoking marijuana and playing with a gun has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Elgardo Garcia Jr., 19, was sentenced Thursday. Last month he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges in the October 2015 death of 17-year-old Jaylene Cruz.
Police said Garcia and Cruz were pointing the laser sight from the stolen .40-caliber handgun at each other when Garcia accidentally pulled the trigger and shot Cruz in the face.
Garcia faced 22 years in prison.
Garcia's family read a letter in court from their son to Cruz's family. He apologized for what happened and said it was an accident.
Cruz's family said they accepted his apology.
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