Gang member sentenced in stabbing death of Kerman High School student

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Family members of Manuel Villareal left the Fresno courtroom upset, some crying. The 24-year-old Tulare man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the 2011 stabbing death of 18-year-old Lynn Snowden. He was killed during a big fight that erupted at a party outside a house in Kerman. The sentence was part of a plea deal, and Snowden's family had accepted it.

Snowden's grandmother Genobeva Sandoval told Action News, "You know we are just so thankful it's over, it's on to healing now, let's move forward justice was served we were not exactly excited about the amount of time but, we wanted to go with the sure shot."

A popular student at Kerman High School Snowden's death was mourned by hundreds. Even though there were potentially dozens of witnesses it took months, and the offer of a reward until two suspects were identified. Manuel Villareal was named as the one with the knife who stabbed Snowden. David Magallon was also involved. Both were initially charged with murder but the charges reduced to manslaughter. Snowden's grandmother expressed sympathy and forgiveness for the Villareal family.

Sandoval said, "Oh yes totally it was a lose lose... they lost, we lost."

David Magallon, 27, also made a deal with prosecutors and is expected to receive his sentence next month. Both Villareal and Magallon have been identified as gang members by the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.