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PARK CITY, Utah (AP) -- A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for killing a Park City resident who jerked his underwear into a "wedgie" has been released from jail.
Erik Kurtis Low never denied killing Michael Jon Hirschey, but said the shooting was an act of self-defense that occurred after unrelenting teasing.
Low was charged with murder and tried twice. An initial 2005 trial ended in a hung jury. Later that year, a jury found Low guilty of manslaughter and a judge sent him to prison. The Utah Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 2008.
Low faced a third trial, but instead pleaded guilty to manslaughter in December.
On Monday, a judge sentenced Low to a term of one to 16 years in prison, but suspended the term because Low had already spent more than five years behind bars.
Low was also sentenced to three years' probation and restitution payments.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
