John David Hodges Jr. offered no apology to his uncle's family before a Franklin County Circuit Court judge sentenced him Wednesday to seven and a half years in prison for fatally shooting Paten Hodges.

But John Hodges did ask Judge William Alexander several times to allow him to begin serving his sentence after Christmas so he could be with his family for the holiday and help them move. He has been out on bond since his conviction in September.

"I understand you have a little girl. I understand you have a family. But I think you ought not to remain out," Alexander said.

A jury found Hodges, 40, guilty in September of voluntary manslaughter. Hodges also was convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon, for which he will serve six months and pay a $1,000 fine.

Hodges and his uncle happened across each other Feb. 16 at the One Stop Shop in the 400 block of Doe Run Road near Rocky Mount. They began arguing about John Hodges' recent marriage to his uncle's ex-wife.

John Hodges testified during his trial that his uncle was threatening him and he thought the man had a weapon. John Hodges said that he fired the rifle in self-defense, hoping to scare off his uncle.

The round hit Paten Hodges, 49, in the abdomen. He was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Investigators found a pocketknife near where Paten Hodges fell after he was shot.

John Hodges was arrested that evening at his Franklin County home.

Paten Hodges' daughter, Angel Hodges, said after the hearing that she was not happy with the length of the sentence and wanted her cousin to serve at least 15 years.

She also was angry that he asked for more time with his family, pointing out that she would be without her father this Christmas.

"He wants to spend time with his family?" she said. "What about our family?"

John Hodges' wife, Janice Hodges, did not want to be interviewed after the sentencing.