A 24-year-old Baltimore man has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison plus 20 years for murdering two men and shooting a third as they waited at a traffic light while out "cruising" near Lexington Market.

Shelby "Muddy" Waters opened fire on the three men Nov. 3, 1997, after a brief spat with the victims over girls that both groups of men were trying to talk to, city prosecutors said.

Waters, of the 900 block of Druid Park Drive, received the sentence on Monday in Baltimore Circuit Court. He was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in July.

The slayings occurred in the area of Howard and Eutaw streets, a once popular late-night hangout for young people.

Pub Date: 9/23/98