Gainesville man sentenced to life in murder trial

GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville man on trial for murder was sentenced to life in prison Monday.

Officials with Judge Kathlene Gosselin's office said Hugo Tapanca was sentenced to life for murder, felony murder and aggravated assault. They said he was sentenced to five years mandatory to serve for possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Tepanca went on trial a week ago on charges of killing Jose Sanchez Vargas in front of Vargas' Merck Street home in Gainesville two years ago.

Some of the evidence presented the jury shows that Vargas' death stemmed from a dispute between the two men over a woman.

The testimony last week included that of the woman at the center of the dispute.

Closing arguments were held earlier Monday. Officials said the jury deliberated for roughly an hour before reaching the verdict.