At age 15, William H. Grigsby Jr. pulled a .44-caliber gun from his waistband and shot Joshua Wilson-Shaw, also 15, when Wilson-Shaw refused to shake his hand.

On Wednesday, Grigsby, now 17, was sentenced in Ramsey County District Court to 15 years in prison. Although he claimed self-defense, he was convicted by a jury on June 5 of unintentional second-degree murder. He was acquitted of a more serious charge of intentional second-degree murder.

With credit for almost two years that he has spent in custody and with good behavior in prison, Grigsby could be out of prison in eight years. He will be 25.

Denise Paulson, a relative of Wilson-Shaw, spoke on the family's behalf: They are still angry about the verdict, she said, and believe the shooting was intentional.

"In two years, we have not heard a word of empathy or regret from William or his family," Paulson said. "Three or four times a week we visit Josh and we talk to him, but of course, he can't talk back. Not one day goes by that we do not mourn him, miss him and love him."

When it was his turn to speak, Grigsby said, "I wanted to apologize a long time ago, but I didn't have a chance to. I really am sorry."

District Judge Gary Bastian also allowed Grigsby's mother to speak. "I'm very, very sorry for what happened these last two years," said Faye McCoy. "There is nothing in my heart that hurts me more than the fact that this young man lost his life."

According to the charges and trial testimony, Grigsby went to a house party in the 700 block of Case Street in St. Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood the night of Aug. 23, 2008. He was in the back yard when Wilson-Shaw approached and Grigsby tried to shake his hand. Wilson-Shaw refused. The two had been in a fight the year before when they attended Humboldt Junior High School.

After months of legal wrangling, Grigsby was certified to stand trial as an adult.

Bastian reiterated to the teenager that "your mother did all she could to take you from harm's way. ... You're a very smart person. Only you will ever know why you brought a loaded weapon to that party."

Grigsby was ordered to pay $3,300 restitution to the Crime Victims Reparation Board and $4,867 to Wilson-Shaw's family.

Pat Pheifer • 612-741-4992