Man gets 20 years in Aztec for deadly 2012 shooting

AZTEC, N.M. — A suspect in a deadly 2012 shooting at a St. Patrick's Day party in San Juan County has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The Farmington Daily Times reports that 30-year-old Raul Avalos received the sentence in exchange for pleading no contest to second-degree murder and other charges. But he will get credit for four years spent in jail awaiting trial.

According to court records, Avalos is accused of shooting 20-year-old Demetrius Garrett twice in the chest at a party.

The victim's sister was also wounded, suffering a gunshot wound in her knee.

Garrett was hospitalized but died nine months later while waiting for a heart transplant.

Avalos expressed condolences to the victim's family but also said he acted in self-defense and never pointed a gun at Garrett.