A South Side man was sentenced today to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years in the shotgun slaying of his girlfriend.

Neil D. Fensler told Columbus police that his girlfriend was accidentally killedby a blast from a shotgun that fell over in their South Side apartment eight months ago.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years after pleading guilty to a murder charge with a gun specification.

Police, with help from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, determined that Fensler's story was contradicted by the evidence.

The state agency reconstructed the scene and found that Fensler, 24,shot Crista N. Spears, 26, as she lay on an air mattress, with her arms raised in a defensive manner, Assistant Prosecutor Michael Hughes said.

The shooting occurred May 5 in a unit at the Indian Mount Apartments on Rosedale Drive, which the coupleshared with Fensler's father. Police received a call just before 5 a.m. from the father about a shooting.

Spears "did nothing to deserve this," Hughes said. "She was shot and killed needlessly. Mr. Fenton had a history of domestic-violence offenses and should never have had a firearm."

Fensler chose not to make a statement in court. His attorney, Brian Rigg, said his client and the victim had two children together.

As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution dismissed charges of aggravated murder,domestic violence and illegally possessing a gun.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Laurel Beatty imposed the mandatory sentence of 15 years to life for the murder, plus three years for the gun specification.

Several of the victim's family members attended the hearing, but didn't address the judge and declined comment afterward.

Hughes said the family supported the plea agreement.