A retired Florida deputy has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for fatally shooting his daughter's estranged husband.
A Palm Beach County circuit judge sentenced Carlton Nebergall, 64, during a Tuesday hearing, the Palm Beach Post reported.
A jury found him guilty of manslaughter this year. He had been charged with first-degree murder. It was his second trial. His first ended in a mistrial after a juror was caught using his phone during closing arguments.
Nebergall's daughter and two grandsons were living with him at his Acreage home in 2018 when his son-in-law, Jacob Lodge, stopped by to drop off clothing for the children, investigators said.
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Nebergall testified that he went outside because he heard his daughter and Lodge arguing and then fired a warning shot to get Lodge to leave. Nebergall said he knew Lodge had a violent history and was concerned for the safety of his daughter.
Nebergall’s daughter went inside the home, and Lodge began to drive away, officials said. Nebergall said Lodge then got out of his car. Nebergall said he was afraid for his safety and fired at the man, hitting him in the head.
Prosecutors argued that Nebergall shot Lodge because of unresolved issues between the two, including an instance where Lodge stole jewelry from Nebergall and was convicted.
