Tears welled in Zachary Smith's eyes Thursday as he apologized for killing his friend, Arthur Pete Davis, during an argument last summer.

Smith, 50, was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty in April to manslaughter. In exchange for the plea, he agreed to a 15-year prison sentence.

Smith looked to members of the victim's family who gathered at the Lauderdale County Courthouse and asked for forgiveness.

"I'd like to say I'm sorry," he told the group.

Smith then turned toward his family and apologized and asked for their prayers. "Please keep me and the Davis family in your prayers."

Smith had no visible reaction as Circuit Court Judge Mike Jones imposed the sentence.

Davis, 48, died July 14 after being shot by Smith during an argument at Smith's home on Lauderdale 63. The house is near the Greenhill community.

During Thursday's hearing, Davis' sister, Deborah Clemmons, told the judge that Smith called her mother to say he had shot Davis. Family members rushed to be with him as they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

Clemmons told Jones she cannot forget her brother's reply when she asked if the shooting was an accident. "He said, 'no sis, he meant to kill me when he shot me.' "

Davis died early the next morning at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis said both men had been drinking before the argument.

Clemmons told the judge during Thursday's hearing that coping with her brother's death has been tough on her family as well as Smith's family. She said the families have been close friends for years.

"This is a bad situation for both families," she said.

As Smith was being led from the courtroom at the conclusion of the 10-minute sentencing hearing, members of his family gathered in the hallway with members of the victim's family, exchanging hugs. Some were noticeably crying.

Defense attorney Chris Smith said he was surprised to see the interaction between the families. "I've been here 20 years, and that's the first time I've seen the victim's family and defendant's family do that."

The Florence lawyer said Davis and Smith were best friends and had grown up together.

"This has been a very tragic situation for both families," Chris Smith said.

He said Smith insisted on offering apologies to both families.

"Zach regrets what happened. He is very remorseful," Chris Smith said.

Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly said he consulted the victim's family before allowing Smith to plead guilty. He said some family members did not support the plea agreement.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.