Long Beach man sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter after beating a man with a milk crate

A Long Beach man has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison for manslaughter after pleading no contest to beating a man with a milk crate.

Riccardo Gonzalez Rangel, 59, pleaded no contest June 5 to one count of voluntary manslaughter for severely injuring David Garcia, 39, during a fight, leading to his death, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. 

Prosecutors said Rangel admitted to killing Garcia as well as using a milk crate as a deadly weapon. On June 21, 2015, Rangel and Garcia got into an argument at a Long Beach apartment complex, according to court testimony. The argument turned physical and Rangel hit Garcia with a milk crate several times, according to prosecutors. 

After being struck, Garcia fell and hit his head. Garcia was hospitalized and died more than six months later from his injuries. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.