EAST COUNTY COURTS: A Lakeside man convicted of murdering his real estate agent was sentenced yesterday to 40 years to life in prison.
In September, a jury found Michael Ray Jennison, 38, guilty of second-degree murder for shooting James Magot in the head during a dispute over a condominium deal in February 2007.
Magot, 64, wanted to buy the condominium for himself, but Jennison wanted to sell it to a neighbor.
In El Cajon Superior Court yesterday, Jennison received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder charge and 25 years to life for the personal use of a firearm.
Judge Allan J. Preckel denied motions filed by the defense for a new trial and to reduce the conviction to manslaughter.
Defense attorney Brian White argued that Jennison should be granted a new trial because jurors inadvertently saw a newspaper article about suppressed evidence in the case.
White said he plans to appeal the conviction