Matthew Coletta, NYC Drive-By Shooter Who Killed a Man, Gets 384 Yrs. to Life

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Matthew Coletta, convicted of a New York drive-by shooting spree that killed a father of three and injured 13 people with a gun police say he claimed came from the devil, was sentenced Thursday to 384 years to life in prison.

According to prosecutors, Coletta, a retired UPS driver, drove a green Cadillac through Queens firing mostly at red cars for nearly six hours the night of Aug. 25, 2006. Police say Coletta, who had been on a cocaine and alcohol binge, later told them he had "borrowed the gun from Lucifer."

The 39-year-old Coletta repeatedly fired a sliver 9mm Ruger handgun across the New York borough, killing 51-year-old Todd Upton, who was shot in the neck while riding on a parkway in a red minivan with his wife. Todd's wife, Mary Upton, survived the random attack.

Coletta, whose lawyer said he was a paranoid schizophrenic, was convicted Nov. 22 of second degree murder in Upton's death and 13 counts of attempted murder and lesser charges.

During his month-long trial Coletta was allowed to carry a Bible and rosary to court. He thanked God when he was sentenced, but told the judge on Thursday the wrong man was convicted.

"What happened to those people on August 26 was despicable and horrendous," said Coletta. "I'm not guilty of all these crimes."