A Marion County Florida teen who was accused of murdering his friend at 12 years old has been sentenced to many years in prison.
A judge in Marion County sentenced one of the three teenagers accused in a triple homicide case from 2023 on Tuesday.
Christopher Atkins who was arrested at age 12, will be incarcerated for 40 years, with a chance for review after 25 years.
Atkins admitted guilt to a first-degree murder charge in April, among a trio accused of killing three teenagers in 2023.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated that Atkins and one of his co-defendants, Robert Robinson, admitted to shooting 17-year-old Camille Quarles. Her body was discovered in the trunk of a vehicle partially submerged in water.
Layla Silvernail, aged 16, and Michael Hodo Jr., aged 17, were the additional two victims discovered deceased in the Ocklawaha region.
Family and friends of the victims gave emotional impact statements during sentencing on Tuesday.
Lisa Windsor, grandmother to Layla Silvernail, expressed, We are both in poor health, and this heartache seems to be draining the life out of us. The agony is perpetual, relentless.
Christina Stewart, who is Camille’s godmother, expressed to News 6 that being in the courtroom was challenging.
Stewart expressed conflicting feelings upon observing a 12-year-old boy who might have his whole life ahead, yet also recognizing him as the one who fatally shot Camille.