According to official reports, a Florida man was sentenced to 18 1/2 years in prison on Thursday for killing his father by slashing his throat.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has reported that Erin Atac, 30, of Lighthouse Point avoided the maximum penalty of 30 years for manslaughter despite having once told police "I'd do it again and again, if I could, no hesitation."

It was also reported that Atac was convicted in February by a jury that passed up on finding him guilty of first-degree murder.

The Sun-Sentinel said that in a Broward County courtroom Thursday, Atac asked for leniency as his mother and sister looked on.

He said, "I stand here today still confused, unsure why this horrible thing happened. I'm dying inside. I loved my father. I miss him."

His client had been disoriented by drug use and his 65-year-old father Ustun Atac, who was slain Jan. 5, 2007, in his Lauderdale-by-the-Sea condominium, was a bully, defense attorney David Bogenschutz has said. Bogenschutz appealed the sentence. (With Inputs from Agencies)