Christopher Robert O’Connell, of Heber Metropolis, was sentenced to between one and 15 years in jail on Feb. 15 after he shot via a wall, killing a 7-year-old. He mentioned he was ingesting closely and taking prescribed drugs. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
A Heber Metropolis man was just lately despatched to jail after pleading responsible to recklessly inflicting the loss of life of a 7-year-old woman by firing a gun via a wall in Wasatch County in 2021.
Christopher Robert O'Connell, 36, pleaded responsible in December to manslaughter, which was diminished to a second-degree felony in alternate for his plea.
He mentioned in a plea assertion had been "ingesting closely" and taking prescribed drugs at house along with his roommate on July 9, 2021.
"I introduced out my handgun, which I assumed was unloaded, having beforehand checked it. Sadly, there was nonetheless a bullet within the chamber and, whereas recklessly 'dry' firing, the gun went off," he mentioned.
Zaydanielys Rodriguez, the woman who was hit and killed by the bullet, was asleep in her bed room.
Her father, Danny Rodriguez, has mentioned that his daughter was a scholar at J.R. Smith Elementary and cherished softball. The household had lived in Heber Metropolis for lower than a 12 months, and raised cash to ship her physique again to Puerto Rico, their house.
Fourth District Decide Jennifer A. Mabey sentenced O'Connell to between one and 15 years within the Utah State Jail on Feb. 15.
He was initially charged with homicide, however the cost was amended to manslaughter.
One another depend in opposition to O'Connell was dismissed as a part of a plea deal — together with felony discharge of a firearm, possession of a harmful weapon as a restricted individual, and distributing a managed substance, all third-degree felonies, along with sexual battery, possession of a managed substance, and carrying a harmful weapon whereas beneath the affect and intoxication, all misdemeanors.
Prices filed in opposition to O'Connell's roommate have been dropped by prosecutors in December.