Shoals Man Sentenced for Manslaughter

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32 year old Vincent Ingram will spend 40 years in prison for the 2009 shooting death of 33 year old Rudy Stanback.

Ingram was convicted of manslaughter back in May. Investigators said that Ingram shot and killed Stanback after an argument at a residence in Florence on November 27, 2009.

He appeared before Lauderdale County's Judge Jones Thursday morning to receive his sentence.

Family members representing both Stanback and Ingram spoke during the hearing, hoping to impact the judge's ruling.

"In my heart, I really think that it was a good sentence, but we're going to appeal it. I know God still is in control," said Ingram's mother Kathy Davis. "Whatever happens up here. God still has the last say. My heart does go out to the family, and I know that God is going to work this thing out for my family and theirs."

Family members of the victim said that although it won't bring Rudy back, they are pleased with the ruling and can try to move on.

"I just pray for the Ingram family and Vincent that he'll find peace," said the victim's mother Theresa Stanback. "God will forgive him for whatever he's done to hurt everyone, but the pain is just like I don't have a heartbeat."

Manslaughter typically carries a 2 to 20 year sentence, but because Ingram had prior drug felony convictions, he was able to receive the 40 year sentence.

"We obviously asked for life sentence," said Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly. "In reality, a 40 year sentence is essentially the same as a life sentence when you start looking at parole considerations. What they have is an 85% rule which will require serving 85% of that sentence or 15 years which ever is less. So, he's looking at being eligible for parole after serving 15 years."

Ingram plans to appeal the decision.