Updated at 12:05 p.m.
A Cumberland County Superior Court judge sentenced Bruce Davidson of Skowhegan to 15 years in prison today, with all but 10 years suspended, in the shooting death of Fred Wilson.
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Wilson died in his South Portland home from a single gunshot wound to the head during a sex party on April 18, 2009.
Davidson will also get three years’ probation.
Defense attorney Thomas Hallett asked for the minimum sentence of 4 years, arguing that the death was a result of risky but consensual sexual behavior.
Hallett also noted that Davidson is HIV-positive and has no prior criminal record.
Davidson, who used to be known as Bruce Lavallee-Davidson, accepted responsibility at his sentencing hearing today and apologized to the family of Fred Wilson.
Both the defense and prosecutors agree that there was no intention to kill, but prosecutors contend Davidson was responsible for ensuring a revolver was not loaded before putting it to Wilson’s head.
Davidson, who was convicted of manslaughter in January, contended he checked several times to make sure the gun wasn’t loaded.
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