A defrocked Muslim minister who opened fire on a crowd at a university rally nearly two years ago, wounding a Nation of Islam leader and five others, has been sentenced to life in prison.

James Bess, 51, must serve at least 18 years before becoming eligible for parole, said Deputy District Attorney William Mitchell.

Bess was convicted of attempted murder and three counts of assault for wounding Nation of Islam Minister Khallid Muhammad and five of his bodyguards after a lecture at the University of California, Riverside on May 29, 1994.