Life sentence for Calgary man who shot drug dealer in the back

A Calgary man who fatally shot a drug dealer in the back has been handed a life sentence.

In November, Sam Frank Barbera was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder in the death of Jonathan Huebner, 39.

After hearing sentencing arguments earlier in the week, Justice David Labrenz handed down Barbera's sentence on Friday, ordering him to serve at least 11 years before he can apply for parole. 

Back in June 2022, Barbera was using drugs and living in a garage in Forest Lawn.

• Accused murderer tells jurors he 'panicked' after being attacked and tried to take 'warning shot'

The night before the killing, Barbera and his girlfriend Sidney had been up all night, doing crack and meth. 

On June 14, 2022, Huebner and his girlfriend arrived at the garage. 

• Calgary man fatally shot over drug debt, jury hears

Huebner told Barbera that Sidney owed him money. 

Barbera testified that Heubner's girlfriend had held Sidney against her will at a home for three days earlier that month. 

Since then, he said Sidney was paranoid and had brought home a shotgun. 

The two men fought. 

After they separated, Barbera picked up a shotgun. He fired one shot, hitting Heubner in the back as he was headed out of the garage.

Barbera testified he meant to fire a warning shot and "didn't know this was going to happen."