Man gets life in prison for killing teen

Horace James, 14, killed leaving teen party at Arlington nightclub

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The man convicted of killing a teenager outside an Arlington nightclub in 2010 was sentenced Thursday morning to two life sentences plus two 15-year terms.

Jeremiah Corbett, 21, was convicted in February of first-degree murder in the killing of 14-year-old Horace James Jr. and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of two teenage girls. The shots were fired as the victims were walking home from a teen party at an Arlington nightclub in September 2010.

Corbett was also was convicted of shooting deadly missiles, and possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent.

"This is an example of why our city is being destroyed: The killing of young people for no reason," Judge Mallory Cooper said as she announced the sentence.

Corbett spoke during the sentencing hearing, but never apologized, only asking that both families be blessed and not have problems with each other. He blew a kiss as he walked out of the courtroom to begin his sentence.

Horace Lee James Jr.

The stepfather of James (pictured, right) told the court that he forgives Corbett, but he will have to face God.

James' mother, Chontel Gergar, said she's now at peace after the sentencing, and this was the day she has been waiting for.

"God has my son. It's my motivation," Gergar said. "I'm still standing, and I just want to say again, thank you for giving Horrace his wings."

Prosecutors argued the murder was a result of Corbitt's hot temper and a bruised ego. Friends with Corbett that night testified during the trial he felt disrespected after becoming involved in an argument between two teenage girls and an ex-boyfriend in a parking lot near Club Menage on University Boulevard.

"Horace got his justice, and let him know Horace got his wings and Jeremiah got his horns, and that's all I want to say, and God got our back," Gergar said.