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A former Lexington public school custodian convicted of manslaughter in the death of a co-worker was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.

A jury found Brian McGuire, 28, guilty of manslaughter on November 9 after about four hours of deliberation. Police charged McGuire with murder and carrying a weapon on school property. Investigators say he shot Jose Daniel Donato inside Leestown Middle School in June 2009.

McGuire claimed Donato, a fellow custodian at the school, repeatedly threatened him. During the trial, he testified that Donato made threats and even pulled a knife, and he reported it to school officials.