HOUSTON (AP) — A Houston-area teenager was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of another teen during a high school cafeteria fight last year that also left three others injured.
A Harris County jury imposed the sentence against Luis Alfaro, hours after finding him guilty of manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old Joshua Broussard. The two had fought during a brawl last September at Spring High School.
Broussard was stabbed multiple times and bled to death minutes later.
Jurors had the option of convicting Alfaro of the more serious offense of murder, which could have resulted in a life sentence.
Sheriff’s investigators have blamed gang rivalry for the fight and say an altercation the day before prompted the melee Sept. 4 at the school north of Houston.
Defense attorney Milan Marinkovich had argued video footage showed Alfaro, who was 17 when the stabbing occurred, didn’t have enough time to inflict fatal wounds.
School officials temporarily imposed tightened security in the aftermath of the fight. The school used portable metal detectors and hand-held wand security devices to screen people. Also, students had to carry their stuff in clear backpacks or zip-lock bags.
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