Guilty plea in 2010 shooting death in western Pa.

BEAVER, Pa. (AP) — A Connecticut man about to go on trial in a shooting death in western Pennsylvania last year has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 to 54 years in prison.

The Beaver County Times says 27-year-old Christopher Bailey of East Hartford entered guilty pleas Monday to third-degree murder and aggravated assault in the Aug. 7 death of 22-year-old Stephen Hardy Jr. of Ambridge.

Bailey told Judge Harry Knaflec that he did not intend to kill Hardy but takes full responsibility and regrets what happened, though he declined to say directly that he shot the victim.

The victim’s parents and friends told the court how difficult their lives have been since he was killed.

Assistant District Attorney Frank Martocci sought the maximum sentence of 30 to 60 years on both counts.