A Tucson man involved in the March 2002 death of his sister's boyfriend was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday — for the second time.
Jeffrey Roberts, 27, originally pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Greg Arbuckle and was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2003.
Earlier this year, however, Roberts pleaded guilty to manslaughter after negotiating a new plea agreement with prosecutors. Under the terms of his new plea agreement, Roberts could have received anywhere from seven to 21 years.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Jonathan Mosher asked Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell to show mercy, noting someone else shot Arbuckle.
However, Fell sentenced Roberts to 18 years in prison, saying that although Jose "J.J." Ortiz shot Arbuckle, Roberts was just as culpable.
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Ortiz was convicted of first-degree murder last week and is facing life with or without the possibility of release.
In March 2002, Arbuckle, 23, was living with Roberts' sister and mother in the 8600 block of East Rosewood Street.
Roberts and Justin J. Samsoon Jr. testified during Ortiz's trial that they, along with Ortiz, decided to rob Arbuckle, a drug dealer, of either his cash or his drugs. Ortiz gave Roberts his gun and waited outside.
Roberts told jurors that once he was inside, he got into an argument with his family and Arbuckle.
The two men pulled guns on each other, but Roberts said he walked away from the fight.
At that point, Arbuckle tackled him and they began to fight, Roberts said.
Ortiz came in during the fight and shot Arbuckle six times, four times in the back.
Ortiz's defense attorney, Harley Kurlander, unsuccessfully argued Ortiz was simply defending Roberts when he shot Arbuckle.
Samsoon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and was placed on probation.
Samsoon and Roberts were arrested shortly after the slaying. Ortiz was picked up last year on a warrant.
Fell gave Roberts credit for the seven years he's already served in prison.
