CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The man charged in the death of former Marshall University football player Donte Newsome has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.
Jerel Addison Garner entered a no contest Kennedy plea, meaning he will serve the sentence for the felony, but do so without admitting guilt.
Garner was previously convicted of the 2008 shooting of Newsome, but the state Supreme Court threw out the conviction, citing errors made by then Senior Status Judge L.D. Egnor, and ordered a new trial.
Garner chose instead to enter the Kennedy plea, saying he didn’t want to put Newsome’s family through a new trial.
Angela Smith, Newsome’s mother, spoke during the sentencing hearing Monday.
“I’ve heard time will heal, but no one can tell me how long,” Smith said. “I’ve asked God when the pain will go away, and I am still waiting on an answer.
Newsome’s family and the state asked for the maximum 15 year sentencing for voluntary manslaughter for Garner. The state also asked that the time Garner spent on home confinement, not be credited as time served.
Judge Paul Farrell sentenced Garner to 15 years with no credit for the home confinement. Garner was given credit for the 5 years he has already served behind bars.