RIO GRANDE CITY - A Garceño man was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday for killing a man during a fight over a cell phone last year.

Jurors convicted Ramiro Ramos, 29, of murder in connection with the June 6, 2007, death of Eduardo Solis, of Escobares.

Prosecutors alleged Ramos shot the man once in the head because he thought his phone was hidden at a home where Solis worked as the gardener.

Ramos' defense counsel, however, argued Ramos never meant to shoot Solis and that the gun went off unintentionally during a fistfight.

Ramos' attorney Derek M. Harkrider did not return calls seeking comment after the verdict was read Friday.

His client will be eligible for parole in 20 years.
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Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.