By KRWG News
Silver City – A Silver City man who severely beat a 19-month-old girl has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
At a hearing Tuesday, 31-year-old Steven Sandoval apologized and told a judge that "alcohol got in the way."
But state District Judge J.C. Robinson called the beating "a horrific act" and said he couldn't see alcohol playing such a big role. The judge told Sandoval "the vast majority" of alcohol and marijuana cases he handles rarely has such a violent component.
Defense attorney Canon Stevens says Sandoval consumed 12 to 13 beers and smoked marijuana on the night of the abuse in May 2009. Stevens asked for probation and placement in an alcohol treatment program.
Sandoval pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and child abuse.
___
Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.