A teenager, accused of shooting a new father in an Atlanta home invasion, was sentenced Thursday.
Brandon Smith, 18 at the time, pleaded guilty when he faced a judge on Thursday.
His attorney revealed in court that Smith was high on cocaine at the time of the incident.
Channel 2 Action News was there when police arrested Smith in September.
A judge sentenced him to life in prison plus 25 years.
Prosecutors said Smith and three others robbed Mike and Whitney Lash's northwest Atlanta home last August.
Tequan Sutton, Veshawn Smith and Quindaris Slade, ages 15 and 16, admitted they were involved in the home invasion.
They were charged as adults, but since they did not fire the shots, the judge gave them 18 years in prison, with 10 to serve.
“We’re thankful that all four defendants made a choice today to tell the truth, and we’re thankful that the system was able to show justice today,” Mike Lash said.
Mike Lash suffered a serious gunshot wound to his leg as he tried to stop four men, who broke into his home. The gunman then started shooting at his wife, Whitney Lash, as she ran for help, with her 6-month-old baby in her arms.
Smith admitted he was the one who shot the homeowners.
The Lashes said they are trying to put the incident behind them.
“It was just an emotional day, but we’re thankful that it’s over, and that they can move on with their lives, and we can move on and hope that they can come out of it as better men,” Whitney Lash said.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/teen-gets-life-sentence-violent-home-invasion-shoo/nqDzj/