Troy teenager sentenced to 5-20 years

Zachary Frederickson (file)

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Story Published: Jun 23, 2008 at 10:22 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:06 PM PDT

By Hayley Guenthner

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MOSCOW - A Troy teenager will get jail time. Zachary Fredrickson plead guilty to second degree murder just before his trial was set to begin.

The 19-year-old will serve 5 to 20 years in prison, with five fixed. Fredrickson admitted to fatally shooting 23-year-old Jeremiah Johnson last June before turning the .22-caliber rifle on himself.

Judge Stegner heard testimonies from Johnson's parents and Fredrickson's boss and father. Witnesses described the two families as former best friends, and say the tragedy has torn the tight knit community apart.

Fredrickson addressed the large crowd present at the hearing and through sobs, apologized for causing everyone so much pain. The courtroom was visibly divided behind the two families and the crowd erupted when sentencing was announced.

Fredrickson has recovered from the self-inflicted head wound and was out on a $100,000 bond. He plead guilty to second degree murder in order to avoid a trial.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, but Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson agreed to recommend a sentence of no longer than 20 years.

Officials say both men were intoxicated at the time of the incident.

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