Judge invokes Newtown in machine gun sentencing

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A federal judge has invoked the Newtown grade school massacre while sentencing a Greenwich man for possession of 10 unregistered machine guns.

The Connecticut Post reports that U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven sentenced Thomas Belluci to a year and a day in prison and required mental health treatment.

She said the Dec. 14 killings will not affect her decision but cited what she called red flags.

Court documents say the 51-year-old Belluci had a nervous breakdown as a teenager and was treated with lithium.

Psychiatric evaluations since his August 2011 arrest for firing a gun from his home indicate he may be on the Asperger's spectrum but did not suggest psychiatric treatment is needed.

His lawyer said Belluci was a gun collector and never used the weapons improperly.

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Information from: Connecticut Post