ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) — A former Army Ranger has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the shooting death of his roommate, who served with him in Afghanistan.

Gary Smith, 29, was convicted last month of involuntary manslaughter and a handgun charge in the September 2006 death of Michael McQueen, who was shot in the Gaithersburg apartment they shared. A previous conviction for second-degree murder was thrown out.

Judge Eric Johnson handed down an unusually tough 18-year sentence on the handgun charge after prosecutors presented evidence that Smith had fashioned a makeshift weapon while in jail awaiting sentencing.

Smith will get credit for the nearly five years he’s already served. His attorney, Andrew Jezic, says he’s disappointed by the sentence and says it’s inappropriate for the crime.

McQueen’s late father, Mike McQueen, was New Orleans bureau chief for The Associated Press.

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