Benjamin Kiefer will spend 15 to 30 years in prison for shooting and killing his older brother last year, Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards said.

Mr. Kiefer had claimed self-defense, but he hit his brother, Kenneth Kiefer, seven times. A jury found the Wayne County man guilty of third-degree murder in September.

Mr. Kiefer killed Kenneth Kiefer late on a Saturday night in March 2013, after a third brother said the two had been arguing and fist-fighting.

Benjamin Kiefer did not deny the killing but maintained he did so in self-defense. Kenneth Kiefer was much larger and trained in mixed martial arts, he told investigators. While Benjamin Kiefer also has martial arts training, injuries from a car crash several years ago left him in no shape to fight back, he said.

To save himself, the convicted man said he fired a warning shot that accidentally hit his brother.

Benjamin’s girlfriend and his other brother, Kevin Kiefer, were both present in the Texas Twp. house when the shooting happened, according to police.

Kevin Kiefer told investigators that Benjamin Kiefer retreated to his bedroom after the fight, then returned with his hand behind his back. He drew a gun on Kenneth Kiefer, then unloaded it on him, Kevin Kiefer said.

Wayne County Judge Raymond L. Hamill sentenced the convicted murderer.

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