A former U.S. Army Ranger from Maryland has been sentenced to 35 years in prison in the shooting death of a fellow Ranger he served with in Afghanistan.

Gary Smith was convicted in April of shooting 22-year-old Michael McQueen II in the apartment they shared in Gaithersburg. He was found guilty of second-degree murder _ depraved heart.

Jurors rejected a defense claim that McQueen committed suicide in September 2006. Prosecutors didn’t suggest a motive, but said Smith idolized McQueen and was upset when he planned to move out.

In sentencing the 25-year-old Smith Wednesday, Montgomery County Judge Eric M. Johnson criticized a lack of veterans programs. Smith, who also served in Iraq, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.