Circuit Judge Steven Alm yesterday sentenced Donny Hiramoto to a mandatory minimum 15-year prison term for the 2004 murder of his Makiki bookmaker and told him, "This is a tragedy all the way around but you're the one responsible."

"My client is devastated, he's in tears. There's really no evidence that Donny Hiramoto shot anyone," said his lawyer, Jeffrey Hawk. Hiramoto, who celebrated his 34th birthday at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center on July 1, declined to make a statement because he plans to appeal the conviction.

Hiramoto was convicted in April of fatally shooting Robert Lee on Dec. 22, 2004, in the garage of Lee's Makiki apartment building. A surveillance videotape placed Hiramoto at the scene. At trial, the prosecution said Hiramoto owed $15,000 to Lee, his bookie.

A gun was never recovered.

Alm sentenced Hiramoto to life in prison with the possibility of parole for murdering Lee, 20 years for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and 10 years for another firearm-related offense to be served concurrently. Alm set the mandatory minimum at 15 years. The Hawai'i Paroling Authority will determine the total number of years Hiramoto must serve.

"It's an appropriate sentence because of the firearm use," Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Wong said.

Wong yesterday read excerpts of letters received from Lee's family, who chose not to appear in court for sentencing, supporting the prosecution's request for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years because a firearm was used in the murder.

Hiramoto, a carpenter from Waimanalo, was supported in court yesterday by friends and relatives, including his wife, Melinda, and three daughters, ages 15, 11 and 2.

"Like a rock in a pond, the ripple effect just goes on," Alm said of how this crime has affected the Lee and Hiramoto families. "Both families have been grievously damaged here."

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.