HALLSBURG -
18 year old James Saulters was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting his 15 year old girlfriend in the head last December.
Saulters previously pled guilty to aggravated assault, dating violence. On December 23, 2011, Saulters and his girlfriend got into a fight. He pulled out a small caliber handgun and shot the girl in the head. The girl did survive.
Prosecutors were asking for life in prison for Saulters, but his attorney, Bill Johnston, asked for probation. He said what Saulters did was reckless, but that he didn't mean to shoot the girl.
During the victim's impact statement the girl said she still considered Saulters her boyfriend.
Saulters must serve at least half of his 30 year sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. The jury also ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine.
