Sergio Droz of Chester apologized to the victim's family in Chester County Court on Thursday, The Daily Local News of West Chester reported.
Prosecutors said Jamal Ahmed Scott, 24, of West Chester, had been lured to the scene as part of a robbery plot before Droz shot and killed him in January 2013.
Droz was convicted of second-degree murder, robbery, conspiracy and firearms violations after a November trial in which defense attorney Jonathan Consadene argued for a lesser conviction on the grounds that his client thought the victim was attacking a friend.
"I am very sorry for what I did," Droz told the judge before sentencing. "It ain't easy. It's going to be hard. I know it was foolish. I am very sorry."
Despite the apology, Judge William Mahon sentenced Droz to an additional nine to 18 years on top of the life term, saying he had been on the same path since the age of 12.
"No, you don't get a second chance," the judge said. "The loss of your life (to prison) will protect society from you being able to do this again. You cannot walk among us anymore."
Two other men have been sentenced in the case and two others are awaiting trial.
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Information from: Daily Local News, http://www.dailylocal.com
