AUBURN – A Lewiston man who strangled his girlfriend was sentenced Thursday to 38 years in prison, and his lawyer said it likely will be a death sentence because of the man’s chronic liver disease.

Francoise “Frank” Gallant admitted choking Cherie Ann Andrews on Jan. 24 during a drunken argument in her Park Street apartment in Lewiston but claimed he was so drunk he didn’t know what he was doing.

Defense lawyer Jim Howaniec painted a tragic picture of Gallant’s life: In foster care by age 4. Addicted to heroin by 13. In and out of trouble with the law and addicted to other drugs throughout his life.

Justice Thomas E. Delahanty II agreed that it was a tragedy but said Gallant failed to take advantage of opportunities to change his life.

Delahanty noted that Gallant spent time in the hospital twice in 2002 after overdosing on Andrews’ prescription drugs. Gallant had the chance to seek treatment for his addictions and let the opportunity slip away, the judge said.

Gallant, 54, was convicted on July 31 of strangling Andrews with a towel wrapped around her neck. Gallant testified that he and Andrews had spent the day drinking beer and taking pills. The two argued later that night.

Gallant probably won’t live to see freedom because he suffers from hepatitis C, hepatitis B and cirrhosis, the Sun Journal reported.

“He doesn’t think he’ll make it to 60,” Howaniec said. “Abuse and disease have ravaged his body.”