Man sent to prison for accidentally killing his friend

A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty to accidentally shooting his friend during a fight outside a party was sentenced today to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

District Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced Eric Sandoval, who admitted to shooting his friend Nester Lee through the heart in 2008. Sandoval also shot into a vehicle full of people, wounding five with bullets or bullet fragments.

After Sandoval shot and killed his friend, he was overheard saying, "My bad, my bad." Lee died in his brother's arms.

Sandoval was placed on suicide watch after he was taken into custody.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.