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Man Gets 20 Years In Prison For Fatally Shooting 12-Year-Old Paterson Girl

PATERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The gunman who pleaded guilty in the death of 12-year-old Genesis Rincon was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday in Paterson.

Rincon was riding her scooter in July 2014 when she was struck in the head by a stray bullet.

In April, Jhymiere Moore pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter charges. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on that charge. He also was sentenced to eight years for weapons possession. The sentences will run concurrently.

Police said Moore was aiming at a nearby van when he fired the shot that killed Rincon.

"This was very clearly a shootout between two gangs," Judge Ernest Caposela said in court Friday, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.

Moore apologized to Genesis' family in a letter read by his attorney, while Moore avoided eye contact.

"I know that an apology would never transcend the pain they must feel, but it is all that I can offer," attorney Harley Breite read.

Genesis' father accepted the apology and blamed the 22-year-old's actions on gang violence.

"It's the streets," Alexis Rincon told Moore. "And you're a father now, and I hope you never have to feel what I feel or any of these families feel."

The Rincons were joined by the family of Ragee Clark, who Moore also admitted to shooting and killing in 2013 after an argument. For that crime, Moore was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison.

"I do forgive you, but I will never forget what you did to me," said Kowanda Holmes, Clark's mother. "You put a scar on my heart that will never close."

As the result of a plea deal, Moore will serve his sentences for both slayings concurrently.

"The two cases basically act as one for purposes of the amount of time he's going to do," Breite said.

But Genesis' mother, Janny Caledron, said she does not think a 20-year sentence is fair.

In his letter to the court, Moore asked for a 17-year sentence. While the judge stuck with the 20 years, which was agreed upon in the plea bargain, Moore will be eligible for parole after 17 years.

Jeffrey Ellerbee was also sentenced to five years on charges related to Rincon's murder.

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