Botched investigation allows Colorado student to avoid jail

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Officials say a mishandled investigation into the shooting death of a Colorado State University student will allow his roommate to avoid prison.

Authorities say 22-year-old Colemann Carver was given a deferred sentence in a plea deal resulting from errors in an investigation of 21-year-old Finnegan Daly's January 2018 death.

Carver has pleaded guilty to felony tampering with evidence. A prosecutor says police made errors in an initial investigation that could have led to a successful prosecution.

A second investigation began after the family asked for reconsideration of evidence including a social media photo that contradicted Carver's account of the shooting.