COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A former soldier sentenced to eight years in prison for drunkenly shooting his friend in Colorado could be eligible for parole within a year after a judge agreed to shorten his sentence.
The Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/2o0stY3) Judge Lin Billings-Vela cited former Staff Sgt. Cory Griffin’s lack of prior criminal history and his remorse in agreeing to reduce his sentence by three years Wednesday.
Twenty-eight-year-old Griffin was arrested in 2014 after shooting his friend in the hand.
He had pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal that kept him from facing an attempted murder charge.
Billings-Vela agreed to review the sentence in February, saying details of Griffin’s treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder would play a factor in her decision.
She said Wednesday that he has been receiving adequate treatment.
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Information from: The Gazette, https://www.gazette.com
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