Jasper County man given 23 years in shooting death of brother

A Jasper County man was sentenced to 23 years in prison Wednesday for shooting and killing his brother, according to a news release from the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Nathaniel Wright, 32, of Ridgeland, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and failure to stop for a blue light. The jury deliberated for nearly three hours.

On Oct. 1, 2014, Wright and his 36-year-old brother, Maurice, argued about money outside a home on Captain Bill Road. Nathaniel Wright fired his gun multiple times, the release said.

"Nathaniel Wright felt disrespected by his brother. He looked him right in the eye and said, ‘You’re going to die,’” said Assistant Solicitor Mary Jones. “He had had enough and shot his brother eight times. The final two shots were while his brother was on the ground.” The shooting occurred in front of family and friends.

“He is a violent man and was a danger to Jasper County,” Jones said.

A voluntary manslaughter conviction is not eligible for parole. Wright will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.

Wright has a prior record that dates back to 2002, including providing false information to law enforcement, malicious injury to personal property, and multiple drug convictions.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Nettles handed down the sentence.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Jasper County man given 23 years in shooting death of brother."