San Diego

A man convicted of shooting a “Good Samaritan” who stopped to offer him a ride was sentenced Friday to life plus 11 years in state prison.

Michael Manuel Brito, 25, was given the term for his conviction March 3 of premeditated attempted murder, which carries a life sentence.

Eugene Smith, 27, a San Diego Park and Recreation Department employee, testified that he offered Brito a ride Aug. 12 when he saw him walking on Interstate 94 at Euclid Avenue with a gas can.

Smith said Brito fired a shot that struck Smith in the back, then stole his 1981 Cadillac.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Ross Tharp also imposed a consecutive 11-year term because Brito stole the car. Brito was convicted of burglary in 1983, and later of grand theft.

Tharp described Brito as “a serious danger to society.”

Brito’s attorney, William Saunders, said afterward that Brito probably won’t become eligible for parole until after he serves 15 to 20 years.

The judge also ordered Brito to pay back $3,500 to Smith from his prison earnings for stealing the car, which was recovered after it had been stripped.

Smith testified that Brito, whom he had never seen before, demanded all his money when pointing the gun at him. He said Brito shot without warning.

Smith ran to a nearby gas station and was hospitalized 10 days. He did not suffer permanent injury.