Matthew Buendia accepts plea deal in deputy shooting

The Marine who shot a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy accepted a plea deal at the last second on Friday night, just as it appeared the jury would be hung and a new trial ordered.

"He felt he had enough," said defense attorney Mark O'Brien.

Matthew Buendia shot Deputy Lyonelle Deveaux during a domestic incident at his home in 2011.

Buendia argued he was suffering from PTSD and should not be held legally responsible for what he did.

"We are hoping that he will have a long life and be able to deal with the issues that he has," said defense attorney Mark O'Brien.

Buendia accepted a plea deal of up to fifteen years behind bars, with ten mandatory.

There were emotional moments in court, when both Buendia, and the deputy he shot, Lyonelle Deveaux, made amends for what happened.

"I'm sorry," he said, unable to choke back tears.

"I forgave you a long time ago," said Deveaux.

O'Brien admitted their pitch, that Buendia was suffering so badly from PTSD that he didn't know what he was doing, was unlikely to succeed in a second trial.

He originally turned down a deal for life behind bars.

"We obviously used a defense that is rarely successful, and while it wasn't completely successful, we do know it resonated with at least one person," said O'Brien.

O'Brien says Buendia will get credit for four years of time served, but that the next six years will be very difficult for him.

Deveaux did not want to speak.