HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A teenager who murdered his grandmother gets the maximum sentence from a Cabell County Judge.
Amouri Powe, 16, of Huntington was sentenced to life in prison with mercy. Because he’s a juvenile, the maximum sentence is life with mercy, but Prosecutor Jason Spears didn’t think in this case it was enough.
“This young man doing what he did, not having any remorse over the last two years, I’m not really hopeful at rehabilitation. I hope he finds some kind of guidance that he can go forward in his life, but it’s not promising,” said Spears after the sentencing.
The victim, Parzella Harris, 46, was stabbed to death in her Huntington home in February 2024. Investigators said she suffered 37 stab wounds. Powe was 14 at the time. He even suffered cuts to his hands during the attack and was taken to the hospital by his parents for treatment. However, he continued to deny any involvement in his grandmother’s death.
“This was one of the most gruesome crimes and murders I’ve ever dealt with in my professional career. The sheer gruesomeness and lack of care of human life he showed his grandmother is something I’ll never forget as long as I live,” Spears added.
Powe did admit to his involvement in a statement prior to sentencing, saying he was sorry for what he had done. However, for Spears the confession and apology rang very hollow.
“He gave a statement saying he was sorry he did it and he acted out. Honestly it was crocodile tears statement. I don’t believe he was remorseful and I don’t believe the judge though he was remorseful. Judge Hammers in his sentencing said, ‘I’m doing this because the law requires it, not because I believe you deserve it.'” Spears added.