File photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Numerous police vehicles, including the State Police Major Crime Unit truck, line the long driveway to 19 Baboosic Lake Road in Amherst in November 2018 as officials investigate the fatal shooting that led to the arrest of Bryson Peluso, who was sentenced earlier today to 14-30 years in State Prison. (File photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

MANCHESTER – Bryson Peluso, the now 30-year-old former Nashua man who pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter in the 2018 shooting death of a man at an Amherst party, was sentenced today to 14-30 years in State Prison.

Judge David Anderson handed down the sentence just before noontime, some three hours after the sentencing hearing got underway in Hillsborough County Superior Court North.

A condition of the sentencing agreement calls for Peluso to receive 897 days of credit for time already served, meaning that, barring any disciplinary or other issues, he will serve a net minimum sentence of just under 11 1/2 years.

Peluso was initially charged with homicide following the incident, in which he shot 23-year-old Brandon Kluz once in the chest from point-blank range during a Thanksgiving Eve party at an Amherst residence.

Kluz was remembered by his nickname, “Memo,” by family members who delivered victim impact statements during the roughly three-hour hearing.

He and Peluso were described as close friends, even “brothers from different mothers,” according to Suzanne DeSchuiteneer, Peluso’s mother, who was one of several people to speak on Peluso’s behalf.

The sentence Anderson imposed is slightly less than the term of 15-30 years requested by the state, which was represented at the hearing by Assistant Attorney General Erin Fitzgerald.

Peluso’s lawyer, Attorney Sven Wiberg, had sought a sentence of 4-8 years.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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