HILLSBOROUGH — The man who pulled the trigger and killed a Chapel Hill man forced to dig his own grave has been sentenced to at least 24 years in prison.

Matthew Johnson, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping last month in Orange County. The combined sentences for the crimes will run 24 to 30 years.

Prosecutors say while Johnson shot and killed 20-year-old Josh Bailey in 2008, he only did it after being kidnapped and ordered to shoot Bailey by 23-year-old Brian Minton, the ringleader of a criminal gang.

Minton was found guilty of first-degree murder in May and sentenced to life in prison.

Seven other people were charged in connection with the killing.