GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County judge sentenced a teenager convicted of murdering a pizza delivery driver.
Reginald Lofton, 15, will spend at least the next 30 years in prison, but the judge told him if he had his way, it would be a lot longer.
Hear the judge's emotional words during sentencing on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4.
Shane Varnadore was killed last March after he delivered a pizza to a Herrington Road apartment complex. A jury took only two hours to convict Lofton in the murder. Another man has yet to face trial.
Both prosecutors and the defense agreed Georgia law would not allow a teen that young to be sentenced to life without parole, which upset Varnadore's family.
Lofton headed to prison, denying any involvement.
“I'm sorry for your loss, but I did not kill your son. It wasn't a shooting. That's it, judge,” Lofton said.
The judge had harsh words for the convicted killer.
“I wish I could give you more time than I can. I think you’re a cold-blooded killer,” Judge Randy Rich said.
Rich gave Lofton a life sentence with the chance for parole, meaning the prison system could release Lofton in 30 years.