An Arizona man faces was sentenced to 17 1/2 years for murdering the brother of the former chairwoman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Gerardo Benito Ramirez, 21, pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge. He admitted he shot and killed Gilbert Frias, 32, on New Year's Day in 2007.

Federal prosecutors said Ramirez fired into a crowd after a party. He apparently didn't target Frias.

Herminia Frias was serving as chairwoman of the tribe at the time of the incident. She was the first woman to lead the tribe.

Get the Story:
Yaqui man given 17.5 years in prison in deadly shooting (The Arizona Daily Star 6/30)

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