Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Three men have been sentenced for their role in a Columbia gambling ring authorities say is connected to a double murder suspect.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles says Lanny Ray Gunter was sentenced Tuesday to five months in prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Harry Benenhaley and Ronald Dale Spence were each sentenced to five years probation.

The men pleaded guilty in October to running a gambling operation, taking in thousands of dollars on any given day.

They were charged as a result of an investigation of another alleged sports bookie. Authorities say Brett Parker needed money and shot his wife, Tammy, and Bryan Capnerhurst -- another alleged bookie -- in the couple's home in April to make it look like self-defense.

Parker is still awaiting trial.

(Copyright 2013, The Associated Press)