A Warren County teen who shot her stepmother in the face with a high-powered hunting rifle in 2011 was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday.

Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick issued the sentence for Tyla Vega, 18, who killed Michelle Vega at the family home on Jones Road May 2, 2011. Tyla Vega pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in March.

“You changed the lives of many, many people and made a tragic error,” Patrick told Vega during sentencing.

District Attorney Ricky Smith had asked Vega be sentenced to 40 years in prison.

“I have the highest respect for Judge Patrick and the court and the responsibilities of being a circuit court judge, however, this sentence in no way reflects the punishment that Tyla Vega should have received,” Smith said. “Since I have been district attorney, this is the one sentence I disagree with the court the most on.”

During the hearing, Patrick said the case was the most difficult he had ever been involved in and briefly explained why he issued the relatively short sentence.

“I’ve had letters where people tried to demonize the victim in this case. I reject that. She was a good mother to her children and a good daughter too. I’ve had letters that demonize Tyla Vega. I reject that. She was a 14-year-old child. There is no right answer in this.”

For more, See Saturday’s edition of The Vicksburg Post.