Man Sentenced To 20-To-25 Years In Prison For 2010 Shooting

A southeastern Massachusetts man has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for a 2010 fatal shooting in Fall River.

The Herald News reports Erroll Powell pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and carrying an illegal firearm.

He was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Powell shot Jonathan Nieves and his brother in February 2010 while they were sitting in the backseat of a vehicle parked in the Sunset Hill Housing Complex. Nieves died from his injuries.

Prosecutors reduced Powell's initial murder charge to manslaughter because of ``issues with the reliability of a key witness.''

Prosecutors say evidence suggested that the shooting was the result of an ongoing gang dispute, but that the victims were innocent.  (Associated Press)