Ex-contractor to serve 3 years in Afghan's death

NORFOLK, Va. – A former Blackwater contractor has been sentenced to three years and one month in prison for the May 2009 shooting death of an unarmed Afghan civilian in Kabul.

Christopher Drotleff was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March. He and another convicted man shot at the rear of a vehicle on a dark road as it passed them near an accident, killing its passenger and a man who was walking his dog. They said they feared for their safety.

Drotleff was sentenced in federal court in Norfolk on Tuesday for the passenger's death. They were acquitted of all other charges. District Judge Robert Doumar said Drotleff is fortunate he had outstanding attorneys and the judge thought Drotleff wasn't convicted of murder as a result.

Drotleff remains free while his attorneys appeal.