DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) — A man who spent a decade in jail awaiting trial on a murder charge has been sentenced to life in prison.

A jury found Kharon Davis guilty of murder last month in the 2007 shooting death of Pete Reaves.

The sentence imposed by Houston County Circuit Judge Kevin Moulton on Tuesday means Davis will eventually be eligible for parole.

Prosecutors said Davis shot Reaves during a drug buy. Part of the delay involved a defense lawyer’s removal for conflict of interest because his son was the police investigator in the case.

The Constitution guarantees suspects “the right to a speedy trial.” Experts called a 10-year delay shocking, since a long wait takes a toll on prisoners, witnesses and victims’ families.