Man who shot neighbor gets 80 years

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Sioux Falls man who was caught on video shooting and killing his neighbor has been sentenced to 80 years in prison.

Peter Mayen, 30, pleaded guilty in September to first-degree manslaughter in the October 2011 killing of 51-year-old Bruce Walters. Prosecutors had agreed to reduce the charge from murder in exchange for the guilty plea.

Mayen, a Sudanese refugee, and his family and friends told the court during Tuesday’s sentencing hearing that Walter had harassed them with racial epithets and threats of violence since they first moved to the neighborhood, the Argus Leader reported. Mayen said he called police several times and tried unsuccessfully to get the court to issue a protection order against Walter and get the state’s Social Services involved.

Prosecutor Aaron McGowan said the neighbors had been feuding and that this was the reason Walters installed a surveillance camera on his garage.

Judge Brad Zell said it was obvious that race played a factor in the feud and told Mayen, “Unfortunately, society may have let you down.” But he said that didn’t give Mayen the right to take the law into his own hands.

Mayen won’t be eligible for parole for at least 40 years.