The Seven Fields man convicted of third-degree murder in the shooting of his best friend was sentenced this morning to 20 to 40 years in prison.

Eric Rutledge, 20, also was sentenced to pay $3,555 in restitution for the funeral expenses of Courtney Daily, 18.

Rutledge was convicted in February following a four-day trial.

During the sentencing, Rutledge expressed remorse over the death of his friend.

“I would never do anything to hurt her,” he told Butler County Judge William Shaffer. “I would do anything to change places with her. It kills me inside.”

Butler attorney Al Lindsay, who represents Rutledge, unsuccessfully argued his client should receive a lighter sentence because the shooting was accidental.

“There was no intent to harm his friend,” Lindsay said.

Rutledge claimed he and Daily were playing with the gun, which he forgot was loaded.

Lindsay stressed the prosecution never made a case the shooting was anything but an accident.

“There’s no motive,” he said.

Following the sentencing, Lindsay said he would file an appeal.