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AMERICAN FORK — Two Orem men who pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a third man were both sentenced to prison Monday.
Mason French, 25, was sentenced Monday to two to 17 years in prison for manslaughter, a second-degree felony; one to 15 years for obstructing justice, also a second-degree felony; and zero to five years for purchase, transfer, possession or use of firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.
Because 4th District Judge Thomas Low ordered that the manslaughter and obstruction sentences run concurrent to each other but consecutive to the use of a firearm sentence, French faces a total possible prison term of two to 22 years.
French was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine. The judge said he would recommend that French be given credit for the 160 days he already served in jail.
Travis Waldron, 24, received an almost identical sentence, but court records indicate he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, possession of a firearm and obstructing justice, all second-degree felonies. He was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison on the firearms charge and faces three to 32 years in prison.
Waldron was also issued a fine and given credit for 160 days served.
Prosecutor Randy Kennard said both manslaughter charges had a weapon enhancement, which increased the possible sentence for each man from one to 15 years to two to 17 years on that count. Waldron's firearm count was a second-degree felony, because while both men were considered restricted, Waldron had a prior felony, while French only had prior drug charges.
Kennard also noted that Utah law makes the maximum sentence 30 years, so Waldron is not likely to serve more than that, regardless of the sentence.
On Nov. 19, French and Waldron — whom prosecutors described as drunk and angry that night — confronted Rupert E. Miley, 42, over a drug debt. The three got into Miley's car, and while driving, Miley was shot from the back seat where French was sitting. French later told investigators the gun went off accidentally.
The car crashed near 800 North and 100 East in Orem a short time later.
Both French and Waldron were originally charged with murder, a first-degree felony. Email: emorgan@deseretnews.com Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam
