A man was sentenced to 13 years Friday in a Hammond slaying. LaHenry “Weeble” Smith, 38, of Hammond admitted to voluntary manslaughter in the Sept. 2, 2023 shooting of Demetri Berry. He faced up to 20 years. Smith said in court he acted in self-defense. He was originally charged with murder and a gun enhancement. Hammond Police were called around 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2023, to the 900 block of Murray Street. There, they found the victim, Demetri “Tank” Berry, 44, of Hammond, on the ground. The witness saw “Weeble” pull out a silver revolver and shoot Berry in the stomach. He walked to the north side of the street, then collapsed. The shooting appeared to be unprovoked, according to the affidavit. It was a case where “nothing good happens after midnight,” Smith’s lawyer Marc Laterzo said. There was an “altercation” with Berry near a known drug house. When Smith was arrested, his face was bloodied. He asked for 10 years. Prior to his remarks, Smith’s brother and mother spoke on his behalf. Deputy Prosecutor Jacquelyn Altpeter said Berry’s father and brother weren’t able to attend the hearing. She asked for 20 years. Smith had 15 prior police contacts, but no felony convictions. He got a “great benefit” with the plea, but ultimately still killed someone, she said. Smith said he was attacked that night by “a few individuals,” including Berry. He took off from the scene because he was afraid for his life, Smith told Judge Salvador Vasquez. He wasn’t at the drug house but had finished helping someone move across the street when the altercation happened. At 2:30 a.m., the judge asked. Smith said he started at 10 p.m.; the person moved at night to obscure what they had in the house. I have heard of that, but not in the middle of the night, Vasquez responded. Was there outside proof he was moving someone, he asked Altpeter. “No,” she responded. Ultimately, he didn’t have a reason to “dispute” Smith’s account, Vasquez said, before handing the sentence. “That’s a break, Mr. Smith, whether you realize it or not,” he said. [email protected]