The mother of a Point Loma man who was illegally shot to death by a former sheriff’s deputy outside the downtown jail said “a great travesty of justice” occurred when the ex-deputy got less than one year in jail for manslaughter on Feb. 7.

After a nearly three-hour hearing in which Kathleen Bils had asked for “justice for my dead son,” she was stunned when the judge placed ex-deputy Aaron Russell, now 25, on three years probation and one year in jail.

Bils, who was seated in the front row, picked up her bag and walked out of the courtroom as San Diego Superior Court Judge Francis Devaney explained the sentence to Russell and the packed courtroom.

Her son, Nicholas Bils, 36, lived for years on a sailboat in Point Loma and his mother described him as “a sweet, gentle soul” who also had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was arrested May 1, 2020 by a state park ranger in Old Town after he brandished a golf club when the ranger told him he needed to have his pit bull on a leash.

Bils escaped from the ranger’s vehicle outside the downtown jail where Russell drew his weapon and shot him four times in the back and side without giving a warning. A fifth shot broke out a car headlight.

Russell, who pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to voluntary manslaughter after a murder charge was dismissed, was handcuffed and taken to jail. He is now in the Vista Detention Facility.

The Sheriff’s Department website announced later that Russell will be released on July 5 after he serves only five months. This is consistent with other prisoners who get one-year terms and who also had their sentences reduced to five months because of the coronavirus outbreak that has spread in jails.

Devaney suspended a three-year prison term and told Russell that if he violates any terms of probation such as drunk driving, he would go to prison. Russell cannot possess firearms and will not be able to work as a law enforcement officer again due to the felony conviction.

The further reduction of the sentence doesn’t sit well with the Bils family.

“The judge made a very shameful decision,” said Amber Barnett, a cousin of Bils.

His brother, Timothy Bils, said the slaying was “ruthless and cold-blooded” and probation was “not justice.”

Several days after the sentencing, Kathleen Bils said she still found the sentence a travesty.

“I thought we were in the Hall of Justice. It needs to be renamed the Hall of Mercy,” said Bils.

“What have I learned? When voting, we pay attention to the political candidates and ignore the judges,” said Bils.

“This is our mistake, electing idiots like this judge,” Bils said, adding she would vote against Devaney if he runs for re-election.

“I told my (other) sons Nicky is dead and nothing can bring him back,” said Bils. “Judge Devaney’s disregard for the life of Nicky is egregious, but if we dwell on it and let it make us miserable and angry, we are letting Aaron Russell kill something good in ourselves too.

“The healthy thing is to go on with our lives being the best people we can be and be as happy as possible,” said Bils. “We believe Nicky is in heaven and he is with God. For him, nothing can be better.”

During the hearing, the judge told Russell “you have been rejected” from the work furlough project that some inmates can qualify for.

Devaney told the audience he had lost sleep, pondering what to do in this case.

“I lost a lot of sleep, staring at the ceiling, wondering what to do,” said the judge. “I pray for guidance and insight. You can’t do this on your own.”

Devaney said he decided against prison because it was “an isolated incident,” telling Russell “removing you from society is not necessary.”

Deputy District Attorney Steven Marquardt asked for a six-year prison term, saying Russell had “abused his position in society when he endangered numerous people and he took a life.

“He shot an unarmed man in the back repeatedly,” said Marquardt.

Russell’s attorney, Michael Begovich, said Russell was 23 years old when the incident happened and had never been on patrol. Russell only worked in the jail and in the courthouse for 18 months before he resigned after the shooting.

Russell asked to speak to the Bils family, and turned around and faced them.

“I think about the ‘what ifs’ every day. I can only speak from my heart when I tell you I am so sorry for your loss,” said Russell. “I am sorry for the grief and pain I have caused you.”

Russell received credit for four days previously spent in jail and was fined $370.