Warner Robins teen sentenced to life with no parole
NewsCentral Producer
Story Created:
Oct 25, 2012 at 5:21 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Oct 25, 2012 at 7:03 PM EDT
Eighteen-year-old Jermontae Moss was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Thursday, for the shooting murder of 34-year-old Jose Marin in November 2011.
District Attorney George Hartwig says the sentence is a statement that gang affiliation will not be tolerated in the community.
"To give someone life without the possibility of parole, at his age, I think sends a very, very, strong message," said Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig.
Moss, a confessed member of the Blood's gang was only 17-years-old when he shot Marin during a botched robbery attempt outside Marin's business, a Mexican food store in Warner Robins.
Moss was also accused of shooting another man the night before Marin's murder.
"I feel real satisfied with (the sentence), maybe we can all go on with our lives now," said Fredda Bonds, Marin's widow.
Family members from both sides of the courtroom were visibly emotional during victim impact statements. Moss family asked Judge George Nunn for mercy, they said Moss was not reared to kill, and there were only outside influences contributing to his behavior.
Before sentencing Moss apologized to the Marin family.
"I'm not a trouble maker at all, I'm not what these charges describe me to be, I've changed my life 180 degrees," Moss told Judge Nunn.
Ultimately Nunn said it was the gang affiliation and the fact moss is accused of shooting another man the night before Marin's murder that led him to give Moss the maximum sentenced allowed.
"Two nights in succession sticks in my mind ... that's not just being young and stupid," Nunn said.
Most Popular