Reporter: Rachel Schaerr | Videographer: Steven Smith
Lynchburg, VA - A jury found Gregory Kittrell guilty of five charges including second-degree murder Wednesday, and recommended he spend 31 years in prison.
Before the sentencing phase, Brian Patterson's mother described how she waited at the hospital hoping her son would pull through. About an hour later, she found out he was dead.
Almost exactly a year to the day, Kittrell shot Patterson five times at a crowded party inside the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge. The jury viewed autopsy photos of Patterson's lifeless body earlier in the trial.
Kittrell took the stand just before sentencing Thursday to apologize to the Patterson family, his own, and said he wished he "could go back in time and change things."
After trial, his attorney explained why he thinks Kittrell was convicted of the lesser charge--second-degree murder.
"I think that's indicative of the fact that this was a good, young man that did not in any way shape or form plan to harm anybody that night," explained Bill Quillian. "It happened and it's been a nightmare for everybody."
Patterson's grandmother described what she'll miss most about her grandson after the jury reached its guilty verdict.
"His face, his smile, everything," said Sophia Johnson.
Quillian said there families are both trying to heal as best they can.
"I was told by one of the deputies that after the hearing, Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Kittrell hugged each other," he said.
"Both sides of the families have healed their wounds over this past year, which is a very unusual thing," Quillian added.
Johnson says she's just glad the trial is over.
"And now my grandson can rest in peace," Johnson said.
Thiry-one years in prison is half of what Kittrell could have faced. In April, a judge will decide whether to accept the jury's recommendations.
