24-year-old Gerard Shaffer Jr. was convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter back in January of 2013. On Wednesday a judge sentenced him to 11 ½ to 23 months in prison, followed by two years of probation.
The deadly incident occurred at the intersection of Knights and Fairdale roads in Northeast Philadelphia. Fifty-four-year-old Mark Wallace died after what began as a verbal altercation while he crossed the street in front of an SUV occupied by the defendant and his father, Gerard Shaffer Sr.
The prosecutor said both Shaffers got out because they thought Wallace was "walking too slow" in front of their SUV. The father shoved him and the son threw Wallace to the ground, causing fatal head trauma.
Shaffer's father was charged but died of a heart attack in 2011.
Defense attorney Coley Reynolds said his client was trying to stop the fight.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Lim said the defendant "wanted to be a tough guy" like his father, a former firefighter.
