COPY-Gang leader gets life sentence for his role in 2004 killing

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A Latin Kings gang leader in New Jersey has received a life sentence for his involvement in the 2004 killing of a female gang member who witnessed an abduction.

Latin Kings leader Jose "Boom Bat" Negrete was found guilty in April of murder and conspiracy in the death of 23-year-old Jeri Lynn Dotson. It was the second time he had been convicted in the case.

Prosecutors have said Dotson was targeted after she saw the abduction of a rival gang member hours before her death. Negrete also received a 20-year sentence Friday for the beating of that man, who authorities say was strangled and left for dead but survived the attack.

The 33-year-old Negrete was also convicted in 2009, but his 80-year prison sentence was overturned by an appellate court due to jury misconduct.