Md. man sentenced to life in prison for 2012 Silver Spring murder

ROCKVILLE, Md. - A man convicted of shooting and killing a victim has been sentenced to life in prison without parole by a Montgomery County judge.

The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office said Michael Clinton killed Jesse Campos over drug money. However, Clinton said he did it because the victim threatened his wife and 3-year-old daughter with a gun.

During a police interview, Clinton described killing Campos in May 2012.

"I pulled the trigger once, twice, three times, four times, five," said Clinton in the recorded interview.

The victim's mother, Bessy Campos, said outside of the courthouse on Friday that she feels Clinton is a danger to society and she is comforted that he will be locked up and unable to harm other families.

In court, Campos' family and the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office asked for the maximum penalty saying Clinton was a menace to society.

They pointed out he also pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in Virginia. The State's Attorney's Office said the cases were disturbingly similar in that he shot all three victims at point-blank range.

"We need to protect the community and that is why we went full throttle in this prosecution because this defendant deserved it," said Ramon Korionoff, spokesperson for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office.

Even though she is satisfied with the sentence, Bessy Campos said it still does not take her pain away.

The sentencing hearing was very emotional for the victim's family. As she handed down a life sentence to Clinton, the judge even said that this will have a ripple effect for both families and the most innocent victims of all of this are Clinton's two young daughters.

Clinton's mother told FOX 5 they plan to appeal the sentence.