Superior Court Judge Jack Smith handed down a 40-year sentence Friday against Terence Gray, 33, exceeding the typical prison term of 20 to 30 years for second-degree murder convictions.
Gray was found guilty of that charge in July for shooting Edwing Matos to death in the Dimond Center mall in February 2010. Jurors acquitted Gray of first-degree murder, as well as attempted first-degree murder and two assault charges.
The state noted the rash of shooting deaths in Anchorage this week and argued a stiff sentence for Gray might deter criminals. Smith said Gray would be sentenced for his actions alone but recognized the spike in deaths.
"Individuals can't arm themselves and try and solve their problems. … That's not the way you solve problems," the judge said.
Prosecutors argued during trial that a dispute over a stolen PlayStation and other belongings prompted the shooting.
Matos tracked down Gray, and the two men agreed to a meeting to discuss the stolen property. Gray arrived at the Dimond Center wearing a bulletproof vest and a disguise; he also brought a firearm, according to court testimony.
Assistant Attorney General Rob Henderson told Judge Smith that Gray lived a dangerous lifestyle. Gray's choices were "criminally escalating," he said. Gray had been convicted of six misdemeanors for drug and theft crimes. The guilty verdict in July was Gray's first felony conviction.
Henderson presented photos to the judge during Friday's sentencing depicting Gray "blanketed" in firearms, according to the prosecutor. Smith said he gave the pictures little consideration when fashioning his sentence.
Gray hid from authorities for three weeks after Matos' death. When police arrested Gray, he had two guns not tied to the murder.
"(Gray) chose a manner of living where he celebrated the type of violence we saw at the Dimond Center," Henderson said.
Public defender Brendan Kelley argued his client shot Matos in self-defense. Kelley said Friday that there is no question that Gray was scared of Matos. The victim, at minimum, had intimidated Gray, he said.
Kelley also said Gray wore the disguise for the same reason. Gray tried to determine whether he was about to be set upon, he said.
Gray expressed frustration over the court proceedings, stating the prosecution presented false evidence and ignored Matos' aversion to contacting police to retrieve the stolen gaming console.
"They say I have no remorse? I do. But I really know what happened. … I can't make (Matos) a saint. … Edwing had malice toward me, but regardless of that he had a family."
Gray said he had many regrets, including not calling police.
Dennis Johnson, Matos' uncle, who was with him at the mall at the time of the shooting, attended the sentencing via an Internet link. He told the judge the four years since his nephew's death have been hard on the family.
"I think about the pain and suffering among the family -- Matos' children, who will never see their father again," he said.
Gray will be eligible for parole in about 26 years.