West Brighton man was sentenced yesterday, under a plea deal, to 10 years in prison.

 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A West Brighton man believed to have a longstanding grudge against the man he allegedly killed was sentenced yesterday, under a plea deal, to 10 years in prison.

Daniel Salinsky, 23, pleaded guilty in December to second-degree criminal weapon possession in connection with the death of Boyce Kelly on May 1, 2009, in New Brighton.

Salinsky was accused of gunning down Kelly, 33, a father of six, who was sitting alone in his car on York Avenue.

Kelly's family maintains that Salinsky also shot the victim four years ago over a dispute involving their relatives. Kelly survived that episode.

Despite having a "very strong" circumstantial case, prosecutors cut the deal due to "serious" witness-credibility issues and a lack of physical evidence, a spokesman for District Attorney Daniel Donovan said when the agreement was reached.

Those factors might have sown doubts among jurors sifting murder charges, the spokesman said, adding that prosecutors believe the sentence is appropriate.

Had Salinsky been convicted at trial of second-degree murder, he potentially faced 25 years to life in prison. Salinsky had pleaded guilty with jury selection under way for his criminal trial in state Supreme Court, St. George.

Salinsky declined to make a statement yesterday prior to Justice Robert J. Collini's imposing sentence.

In a brief telephone interview afterwards, his lawyer, Mario F. Gallucci, said Salinsky "is prepared" to serve his sentence.

"He is sorry that the incident occurred at all," said Gallucci.

Kelly's widow, Natalie McIntosh, previously told the Advance the trouble between the two men began in 2006, when Kelly sought out Salinsky to discuss an accusation that Salinsky's sister had jumped Kelly's niece.

That led to the first shooting, she contended. Although Kelly and his family moved to Florida, he returned to Staten Island occasionally to appear in Family Court on a visitation case concerning children from a past relationship.

Besides prison time, Salinsky was sentenced to five years' post-release supervision. Attempts yesterday to obtain a telephone listing for Kelly's family were unsuccessful.

Assistant District Attorneys Wanda DeOliveira and Jennifer Cilia prosecuted the case.