{Charleston, West Virginia}...During a hearing in Charleston Friday, Kanawha County Circuit Judge Duke Bloom sentenced convicted Kanawha County sniper Shawn Lester to the maximum 40 years for the 2003 shooting death of Jeanie Patton. Lester pleaded guilty in July to second degree murder in the death of Patton, who was shot at the Campbell's Creek Speedway. The plea did not include the shooting deaths of Okey Meadows, Jr. and Gary Carrier, Jr. because there wasn't enough hard evidence to prosecute those cases. Bloom says there will be no credit for the time Lester has already served. Lester was taken to Mt. Olive State Police to begin his sentence. Lester could be released after 20 years on good behavior, but Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants says Lester will most likely spend about 30 years behind bars. Lester is also facing federal firearms and drug charges.
