BLOOMINGTON - A Bloomington man was sentenced to 16 years in prison Friday for his role in an April 6 incident that sent three people to the hospital with injuries from birdshot.

Keiahty Jones, 22, was convicted in August of three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. Jones was accused of driving the car that carried two others to a public housing complex in the 1400 block of North Western Avenue.

Authorities contend that co-defendant Eddie Spice fired the gun that sprayed birdshot into a crowd of people, hitting three of them. Spice is set to go on trial in January and charges were never filed against a juvenile male because prosecutors said evidence was not sufficient to link him to the incident.

In remarks at the sentencing hearing, Judge Charles Reynard described Jones as unreprentant and remorseless for the crime that could have seriously injured more people. The judge said Jones' denial of taking part in the shooting lacks credibility.

Jones must "get his head around the fact that he's not believed and not believable," said the judge.

Jones must serve 85 percent of the 16-year term. Two additional 16-year terms will be served concurrently and he will receive credit for 258 days in custody.

Assistant State's Attorney Bill Workman asked for consecutive terms for each count that could amount to 18 to 90 years in prison.

Workman argued that the shooting was a gang-related retaliation for a fight earlier in the day.

The prosecutor asked Jones during testimony Friday about potential gang ties, a connection Jones denied. A "chain gang" tattoo on Jones' back refers to a record label he coined for music he writes and records, according to Jones and several witnesses who spoke on his behalf.

Defense lawyer Scott Kording asked that Jones receive a sentence at the lower end of the possible 6 to 30 years for the offenses. He said his client was a member of the National Guard, attended college and worked to support his children and a sister who needed help.

Kording said Workman's proposed sentence "would be an overreaction by our criminal justice system."

An appeal will be filed on Jones' behalf of the conviction and sentence, said Kording.