Former security guard sentenced to 20 years for attempted killing of boss

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A former security guard was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for shooting his ex-boss.

Robert L. Valentine, 34, was convicted of attempted murder for shooting Jack D. Davis in the head and chest last November outside his Brooklyn Park home.

Before imposing the sentence Thursday, Hennepin County District Judge Allen Oleisky said two very different portraits of Valentine had emerged during the trial.

One was of a college-educated man with many friends, who spoke of him as a caring, nonviolent person.

The other was of a man who brooded more than 10 months about being fired by Davis from his job as a security guard.

Oleisky said he believed Valentine intended to kill Davis, who was able to get back into the house and call for help. Davis lost an eye and lung and was partly paralyzed in one leg.

Brooklyn Park police said Valentine apparently was upset when Davis didn't agree to give him time off at Christmas 1998. Valentine was fired when he failed to show up to work at American Security Corp.