The man convicted of murdering former New York Jets running back Joe McKnight in a road rage incident, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Louisiana resident Ronald Gasser, 56, was sentenced after being convicted of manslaughter on January 26. His maximum sentence could have been 40 years, but at 56, the 30-year sentence means the convicted killer could spend the rest of his life in prison, TMZ reported.
The former NFL player was shot and killed during a road rage incident on December 1, 2016. The player was only 28 years of age at the time of his death.
During the victim impact statement portion of the sentencing, McKnight’s distraught mother said, “That day, you didn’t have to do that. That didn’t have to happen. It hurts. It’s going to hurt a long time.”
McKnight’s girlfriend and the mother of his 8-year-old son also spoke saying, “It will be my life’s mission to make sure my son, Jaiden, doesn’t grow up with hate for you. Not because you don’t deserve it, but because he should not have hate in his heart.”
The convicted killer tried to insist that he acted in self-defense, but his claim was rejected especially since McKnight was shot through his car door while still seated inside his car.
Gasser initially faced a charge of 2nd-degree murder, but a jury decided to levy a lesser charge of manslaughter at trial. The convicted killer is preparing to appeal the 30-year sentence.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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