Man sentenced for fatal shooting of girlfriend’s mother

A District Court judge on Thursday sentenced a man to 13 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his girlfriend's 84-year-old mother after an argument in March 2009.

Authorities said John Vincent Delong, 60, had been angry and frustrated with the behavior of Sophie Jozwiak, who had dementia and had been living with the couple for about seven months in an apartment near Tropicana Avenue and Maryland Parkway.

After shooting Jozwiak, Delong pointed the .22-caliber revolver under his chin and pulled the trigger, shooting out his tongue. He did not lose consciousness and shot again, this time striking his jaw.

Delong pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon in January.

At Thursday's sentencing hearing Judge Michelle Leavitt did her best to understand Delong's statement as his injuries prevented him from being able to speak clearly.

"No way I can make up for this," said Delong, a Vietnam War veteran. "I will think about it for the rest of my life."

Delong's attorney, Keith Brower, said his client was "extremely drunk" the night of the shooting and deeply regretted his actions. Brower asked the judge to consider a 10- to 25-year prison term but to no avail.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.