OGDEN — Steven Lee Johnson has been sentenced to five years to life in prison for the drug- and gang-related beating death of his best friend.
Eric Delgado was killed July 14.
Johnson said that after ingesting methamphetamine, he argued with Delgado whether he had adequately backed up his friend and fellow gang member during a fight with a rival gang.
But prosecutors said Johnson, four days out of prison, was trying to curry favor with a new gang he had clicked with while in prison on a theft charge. Johnson denied it.
Johnson, 25, wiping away tears, admitted in court Tuesday to beating Delgado to death in what the defense called a meth-induced burst of paranoid aggression.
"I never meant to take Eric's life. Eric was my home boy, and he'll always remain my home boy," he said.
He spoke of holding Delgado as he died.
"I had him in my lap and tried to get him to come back. Eric wouldn't come back. He had died," he said.
The prosecution suggested Johnson may have thrown the smaller Delgado out a second-story window during the fight.
As to Johnson holding the dying Delgado in his arms, Deputy Weber County Attorney Sandra Corp said that was the first time Johnson had mentioned that detail.
No blood from the fight was found on Johnson's clothing above his socks and shoes, she said, consistent with Johnson's admissions to kicking and stomping Delgado about the head.
"Mr. Johnson, only you know if you intended to take Eric's life," 2nd District Judge Michael Lyon said. "I'm shocked a human being can be so inhumane to another human being."