Steven Ray Finn, the third person involved in a home invasion and murder, was sentenced last week to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Third District Judge Robin Reese sentenced Finn, 32, for one count of capital homicide in connection with the death of Matthew Moya in 1999.
As part of a plea bargain, two other charges against him were dismissed. They were first-degree felony aggravated burglary and second-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
Finn accompanied Peter Emmanuel Zarogoza to Moya's home with the idea they could "hit" Moya because they believed he was a drug dealer, according to court documents.
Finn and Zarogoza were driven there by Angel Joseph Martinez, who remained in the car, and Finn and Zarogoza entered the house with guns, court documents say.
Zarogoza held Moya's wife and children at gunpoint while Finn confronted Moya in another room, court documents say. After the men made their way into the hallway of the house, Finn and Zaragoza shot Moya, according to court documents.
Prosecutor Ken Updegrove said officials in the district attorney's office believe that Zaragoza actually fired the fatal shot.
"We felt this would be a good resolution. The family (of Matthew Moya) was consulted, and they're happy with it," he said. "We got the three people involved — the driver of the car and the two people in the home who did the shooting."
Zaragoza, 26, already has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Martinez, 36, previously was sentenced to two terms of nine years to life in prison.