After killing an unarmed man rather than “lose a fight,” Matthew Ryan Peoples receives a lengthy prison sentence and lifetime probation.
A man who shot and killed an unarmed man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced. The sentencing of Matthew Ryan Peoples, 35, follows his conviction for second-degree murder last month.
Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts sentenced Peoples under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, which mandates a minimum of 25 years in prison for the use of a firearm during certain felonies. The judge ultimately imposed a 30-year prison sentence, along with lifetime probation and a requirement for restitution.
During the trial, prosecutors Peter Overstreet and Jacob Cook argued that Peoples escalated a verbal dispute by introducing a gun. Peoples claimed the victim, who was 30 years old, was walking toward him aggressively and had threatened to beat him up…