An Oildale man has been sentenced to eight years behind bars after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter for killing another man in a fight.

Christopher Duncan struck Shane Marshall on the head during the scuffle at the intersection of Belle and North Chester Avenues last November, but the victim’s mother Carla Goldsmith thinks Thursday’s sentence is too light. Duncan was facing first degree murder and drug charges when he took the plea deal in March.

Goldsmith says she plans on leaving Kern County with her grandkids because Duncan’s friends have threatened them.

Kelli Forsch