Terrell D. McCoy, 21, who pleaded guilty in August to unintentional second-degree murder and second-degree assault in the death of Kerry M. Neal-Hill, was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison.

District Judge Steven Wheeler said McCoy must serve two-thirds of that time before he is eligible for release. A three-year sentence for the assault will be served concurrently.

Defense attorney Beau McGraw said McCoy "is absolutely sad" about the death of Neal-Hill. "He's going to spend the next 180 months reforming himself so he comes out a better man."

McGraw asked the judge if McCoy could address his apologies to Neal-Hill's mother. But Wheeler told him to address his remarks to the bench.

"I'm very sorry for what I have done," McCoy said. "I wish life was like a movie and I could rewind it."

Police say Neal-Hill, 23, was hit by four bullets May 4 as he rode in a station wagon near Aurora Avenue and Avon Street. A man who took Neal-Hill to Regions Hospital told police that they had been "rolling around" when two men got out of an SUV and one began shooting at them.

PAT PHEIFER