Jackson, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to murder and related charges in a deal that spared him the death penalty. He admitted slitting Cpl. Justin Huff's throat in the mistaken belief that Huff had taken part in the rape of a woman who befriended Jackson over the phone.

The victim's parents, Theresa and Blaine Huff, wept and hugged after the sentence was announced. Family friends pumped their fists in the air.

"I don't think he was too surprised," Jackson's attorney , Donald W. Marcari, said afterward.

The jury of five enlisted Sailors and four officers deliberated about 1 1/2 hours before returning with the sentence, which includes a dishonorable discharge.

Jurors had the option of sentencing Jackson to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

The jury president, the equivalent to a jury foreman, declined to comment on the decision outside court at Norfolk Naval Station.

Jackson, of Boones Mill, did not testify at the week long sentencing hearing but read an unsworn statement late Thursday apologizing to the Huff family, the Navy, his own family and the country. He will be sent to the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan.

Huff, 23, a native of Carmel, Ind., was reported missing after the New Year's weekend when he failed to show up for an intelligence class at Dam Neck Annex to Oceana Naval Air Station. Jackson also was taking classes there, but the two did not know each other personally.

Jackson confessed to the killing after Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents identified him on a security tape showing the two men talking outside Huff's barracks early Jan. 2 .

The Navy engineman led agents to the rural spot in Currit uck County where he had handcuffed and murdered Huff, burned his body and buried him.

Jackson was led to believe by Ashley Elrod, his phone acquaintance, that Huff participated in a sexual attack on her. She admitted in court the attack never occurred and that Jackson, whom she called more than 1,000 times over a two-month period, was one in a long line of military men she enjoyed calling constantly, using a false identity and personal description.

Marcari, Jackson's attorney , said he think s the military accepted the plea deal and removed the death penalty option in part because of the extenuating circumstances involving Elrod. Prosecutors have declined to comment on their reasons. Elrod faces no charges.

During closing arguments Friday morning, a military prosecutor stee red the jury's thoughts toward the Huff family.

Marine Capt. Cory Picton reminded the jury about how Huff and his then-pregnant wife last saw each other weeks before his death , during a tearful good bye at the San Diego airport before Huff flew east to attend intelligence training.

Huff promised he would return. His wife gave birth to a son, Justin, about six months later.

Picton asked the jury "to consider what a life is worth, what a military career is worth, what a wife's life is worth and what a baby boy's life is worth without a father."

In arguing against life with possible future parole, Picton asked the jury to spare the Huff family from having to revisit the murder in the years ahead.

"You saw the tears. You saw the pain. You saw the impact that this calculated murder had on others," he said.

Huff's parents and his wife gave emotional testimony earlier in the week.

"Are they going to have to experience this again in 20 years?" Picton asked. "Don't let them go through that. They've suffered enough."

Marcari asked the jury to give Jackson a chance to redeem himself and serve society.

"If you believe there's any redeeming value in that life, then give him the opportunity for parole," Marcari said.

The Huff family and their friends declined to comment after the verdict.

Jackson's mother and other family members also declined to comment.

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