What ist the judge supposed to do here? Slap the guy on the wrist for shooting someone in the back? I support the notion of private citizens stopping illegals on private land until the INS comes. But you just can't shoot a guy who isn't threatening you - whether he's an illegal alien or a citizen.
The sentence should have been less. The same for the crime if committed in Mexico. This decision is designed, custom-made, to intimidate all other ranchers. So the net effect is to encourage more Mexican border jumping, property desecration and crime. The Mexican counsel down there is happy today.
Like I said, the judge can care less. He's got a FedGubberMint job with all the bennies while other Americans contend with a lousy economy and an immigration invasion.