South Bay Man Gets 15 Years for Killing Girlfriend

A Hermosa Beach man who fatally shot his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve in 2011 was sentenced today to 15 years in state prison.

David Brian Abbott, 35, was found guilty July 2 of voluntary manslaughter for the Dec. 31, 2011, killing of Samantha Sproson, 38, who was shot once in the head.

Jurors acquitted Abbott of first-degree murder and second-degree murder.

During the trial, a neighbor testified that he heard Abbott and his girlfriend arguing and then heard Abbott counting down twice before the shooting.

--City News Service