JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 16-year-old St. Johns County boy convicted of killing his own grandmother with a guitar one year ago apologized Friday at his sentencing hearing and then was sent to state prison.
Last month, Christopher Henricks pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after Patricia Barnes was found dead in her Arlington home in October 2004.
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Henricks, who was 15 at the time, bludgeoned his grandmother to death with a guitar. After the murder, Henricks took her car, money and bank card and drove with his girlfriend to Louisiana, where he was stopped for speeding and police learned the car was reported stolen.
The girlfriend was cleared of any charges.
"I feel remorse and sorrowful. I can't explain how much. I know I've hurt all of you," Henricks told the court Friday. "I hope you accept my apology."
Barnes' son and daughter gave emotional testimony about how much Henricks had taken from them.
"He took away something that can never be replaced -- the love of a grandmother for her grandchildren," said Linda Mock.
But Henricks' father asked for leniency because of his son's age.
"I do not feel prison is a good place to send a child -- especially for a long time," the defendant's father, Mike Henricks, said. "So, I plead with the court."
But judge was not lenient, ordering Henricks to serve 35 years in prison.
Previous Stories:
- August 30, 2005: Teen Pleads Guilty To Slaying Grandmother
- November 10, 2004: Teen Held Without Bond In Death Of Grandmother
- October 20, 2004: Teen Accused Of Killing Grandmother Awaits Extradition
- October 19, 2004: Teen Charged With Killing Grandmother
- October 17, 2004: Police: Woman Killed; Grandson, His Girlfriend Missing