Clarence King Accepts Plea Deal, Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
By: Rachel Spangenthal
Updated: August 17, 2012
"The incident is so horrific its painful to recall and endure," said Glenda Mooney-Tobe,
Marcus Lewis' Aunt.
Police said Marcus Lewis was killed in northwest Lubbock in 2010, during a robbery gone wrong.
"I always try to picture, how things happened and what was he thinking," said Nadia Lewis, Marcus' sister.
On Friday, his family watched as Clarence King, the third and final person responsible for his death, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
"Today means we no longer have to go through the specifics or details of what happened to Marcus," said Mooney-Tobe.
But his family said it's been a long, hard road. Police arrested the first suspect, Charity Wilcotts, a month after Lewis' death. It would take another two months before King and another man, Jakie Ayers, were arrested in Houston. All three suspects accepted plea deals. Wilcotts was sentenced to 50 years in prison last year. Ayers was sentenced to 30 years just last week.
"We finally get to have some type of closure and it's peace knowing we won't have a trial," said Mooney-Tobe.
His mother and aunt both spoke at Friday's hearing and cried on the stand. During their statements, King kept his head down and also cried.
"We told Jakie Ayers and Clarence King that we forgive them. And we just glad that it's over, that's what it's all about, is being forgiven and not going around with grudges," said Cecilia Joyce Robinson, Marcus Lewis' mom.
"And we want to move on with our life and be able to go out there and just say, 'Hey, what's up?' to Marcus at his site," said Mooney-Tobe.
Marcus Lewis' Aunt.
Police said Marcus Lewis was killed in northwest Lubbock in 2010, during a robbery gone wrong.
"I always try to picture, how things happened and what was he thinking," said Nadia Lewis, Marcus' sister.
On Friday, his family watched as Clarence King, the third and final person responsible for his death, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
"Today means we no longer have to go through the specifics or details of what happened to Marcus," said Mooney-Tobe.
But his family said it's been a long, hard road. Police arrested the first suspect, Charity Wilcotts, a month after Lewis' death. It would take another two months before King and another man, Jakie Ayers, were arrested in Houston. All three suspects accepted plea deals. Wilcotts was sentenced to 50 years in prison last year. Ayers was sentenced to 30 years just last week.
"We finally get to have some type of closure and it's peace knowing we won't have a trial," said Mooney-Tobe.
His mother and aunt both spoke at Friday's hearing and cried on the stand. During their statements, King kept his head down and also cried.
"We told Jakie Ayers and Clarence King that we forgive them. And we just glad that it's over, that's what it's all about, is being forgiven and not going around with grudges," said Cecilia Joyce Robinson, Marcus Lewis' mom.
"And we want to move on with our life and be able to go out there and just say, 'Hey, what's up?' to Marcus at his site," said Mooney-Tobe.
