William Sherwood, the man convicted of second-degree murder for a road rage killing in Brevard County, has been sentenced to life in prison.
A judge handed down the sentence Monday for the March 2013 shooting of John Pratt in Melbourne. He must serve a minimum of 25 years.
"John lost his life to a very disturbed man who lost control of his actions," said Nancy Pratt, Pratt's wife.
A jury found Sherwood guilty of second-degree murder in September.
At sentencing, John Pratt's family and friends spoke of his life and why they believe Sherwood should have received the maximum sentence allowed by law.
"William Sherwood made it about himself, confused his outrageous anger between right and wrong and made a fatally wrong decision," said son John Pratt, Jr.
Pratt, a Melbourne car salesman, was test-driving a customer's car for a potential trade-in when Sherwood said he cut him off in traffic.
Moments later they came to a red light where Sherwood rear-ended Pratt's vehicle.
Sherwood testified after the collision, he watched as Pratt got out of his vehicle, approached his car, reached in the window and punched him.
Fearing the much larger man, Sherwood said he drew his handgun, which he kept in a holster and shot Pratt in self-defense.
But prosecutors said throughout the trial that Sherwood went too far and the jury agreed.
"In a sense, when you fired those two bullets you killed your life as you know it," Judge Charles Roberts said.
In the hallway after the sentencing was handed down there were hugs and relief from John Pratt's family and friends.
William Sherwood's 66th birthday is Tuesday. He will still be in prison at 91 years old.