JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- The family of a slain high school dancer says justice has finally been served. Wednesday, Frederick Wade was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of Kalil McCoy, 20.
McCoy was shot inside an SUV in June 2011. Investigators proved Wade pulled the trigger during a struggle inside the vehicle. She was shot in the head, and dumped on the side of the road. Wade confessed to investigators but his defense team claims it was under duress. In April, a jury found him guilty of second degree murder.
McCoy's family tells Action news they don't have closure, but they're grateful for justice. Since her death, their lives have been a struggle.
Kalil's twin brother Adil McCoy turned the pain into music, writing a song for his sister.
Her mother says Kalil's death is something she will never be able to forget.
"Kalil got killed because she wouldn't roll up a window. I'm going to always know that her heart was still beating," Lynnette Roebuck said. "They dumped her like trash."
Wednesday, as the tortured family sat watching, the man who pulled the trigger was sentenced to life in prison. Kalil's older sister struggles knowing while Kalil's life was taken, Wade can keep breathing.
"He will still be able to see his daughter but my mother will never be able to see her daughter again," said Shardea Thomas-Gay.
And a young nephew will never really know an aunt who loved him.
"He kisses her pictures and says auntie Kalil, knowing that she'll never be able to be here to physically play with him again or to see him go off to school," said Thomas-Gay. "That's never going to happen and that's a lot to deal with."
Not a day has passed Kalil's mother hasn't cried; Kalil's final words embedded into her mind for eternity. But time isn't healing the gaping wounds left behind. This family isn't sure time ever will.
"I have to live my life knowing all I have to do is look at a picture that's it. Or call her cell phone just to hear her voice," Roebuck said.
They never knew an unanswered call could calm. They haven't been able to turn off Kalil's cell phone, just to be able to hear her voice. It's become a voice mail reminder of an angel lost and an angel gained.
Two more young men are still awaiting sentencing. Kennard Mahone and Alfred Mears pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact. They will learn their fate August 20. Jonathan Brooks also pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
A year of grieving has put Roebuck into financial desperation. Her home has gone into foreclosure and she is being forced out. Right now, she says she is struggling to find a place to go. Roebuck is looking for help anywhere she can find it and tells Action News she just keeps searching for the rainbow in a never-ending storm.
