Man slapped with 120-year sentence after courtroom outburst, taunting

Man slapped with 120-year sentence after courtroom outburst, taunting »Play Video
Matthew Hastings, left, smiles as he taunts the judge.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A man convicted of attempted murder and assault for firing at a SWAT team and wounding an officer in Washington state has been sentenced to 120 years in prison.

Clark County Superior Court Judge John Wulle handed down the sentence after 30-year-old Matthew Hastings yelled at the judge and taunted officers in the courtroom.

Hastings was convicted last month of shooting at a SWAT team during a 20-hour standoff in Vancouver in July 2007. The wounded officer has returned to duty.

At one point during the testy exchange Monday, Wulle told Hastings, "shut your d*** mouth!" He then accepted the state's sentencing recommendation.

The judge later apologized to anyone in the courtroom who was offended.
     
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