Paul Harper

A Butler County judge Tuesday sentenced a 72-year-old Portersville man to at least 10 years in prison for attempted criminal homicide.

Judge William Shaffer also determined that Paul Harper is severely mentally ill, a designation that will help Harper receive mental health treatment during his prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.

Harper pleaded guilty in March to shooting at Christopher Galbreath in early July 2017 over the sale of a car. He has remained in Butler County Prison since his arrest on July 4, 2017.

“I never imagined someone would try to take my life over nothing,” Galbreath said in court. “I can't put into words the pain and suffering of my family and friends caused by this man.”

Read more in Thursday's Butler Eagle