Mothers wept on both sides of the courtroom Friday as Darius Jackson, 20, was sentenced to serve 38 years in prison for the shooting death of Michael Holland, who was just 19.

Jackson pleaded guilty two months ago to first-degree manslaughter with a firearm rather than risk going to trial on a murder charge and receiving an even longer term. He apologized to Holland’s family and to his family Friday before the sentence was imposed.

Read the New Haven Register's full report on Jackson's sentencing.

Darius Jackson, 20, today accepted a deal, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Michael Holland in July 2010.

Jackson will serve 38 years in prison.

Holland's girlfriend was on the phone with him when she heard him speak to Jackson — then she heard the gunfire that would take his life.

Holland was killed on July 20, 2010.

Victim: Michael Eric Holland, 19, of 693 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven

Date: July 20, 2010

Time: 7:45 p.m.

Neighborhood: Hill

Location: 78 Third Street

Weapon: Gun

Arrests: Darius L. Jackson Sr. (1/19/1992), of 227 Howard Avenue, New Haven, arrested July 30, 2010

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