Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of childhood friend in Aliquippa

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — A man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole for killing a childhood friend and roommate in Aliquippa.

Sheldon Jeter, Jr., was found guilty in June of first-degree murder in the May 2020 shooting death of 30-year-old Tyric Pugh.

>>PREVIOUS STORY: Man found guilty of first-degree murder in Aliquippa shooting death

Pugh was shot seven times, including five times in the head, police said. He was found dead on Kiehl Street.

Prior to his sentencing, Jeter’s attorney filed a motion for a mistrial. The judge denied his request.

During the trial, prosecutors said Jeter was the last person seen with Pugh. Gunshot residue was found in Jeter’s car and the murder weapon was found under his mattress.

Jeter was previously questioned in another murder investigation: the high-profile death of Rachael DelTondo, a Beaver County schoolteacher who was gunned down in her parents’ driveway on Mother’s Day 2018.

>>PREVIOUS STORY: Man questioned in Rachael DelTondo murder case arrested in separate fatal shooting

Jeter denied any involvement in DelTondo’s death and was never charged.

Man found guilty of first-degree murder in Aliquippa shooting death