Man Sentenced in Barbecue Fork Death

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man has been sentenced to serve up to 30 years in prison for stabbing his uncle to death with a barbecue fork during a drunken argument in November 2013.

District Judge Thomas W. Rumpke sentenced 32-year-old Orlando Marcus Gonzales of Gillette on Monday to 21 to 30 years in prison for the death of Theodore Maes.

Gonzales had pleaded "no contest" to second-degree murder in January.

Prosecutors alleged Gonzales stabbed Maes with a barbecue fork. One tine went through his cheek and nicked his carotid artery, causing him to bleed to death.

Gonzales apologized before he was sentenced, but argued he was defending himself.

He was given credit for 534 days served, ordered to attend addiction treatment and pay just over $2,100 for Maes' funeral costs.