2017: After long wait, Shelby Farah has a headstone
2016: Victim's mother speaks out against the death penalty
A man accused of murdering a 20-year-old while robbing a Jacksonville Metro PCS in 2013 pleaded guilty on Thursday to avoid the death penalty.
James Rhodes, 21, pleaded guilty to murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with Shelby Farah's murder.
Former public defender in Jacksonville among those lost to heroin epidemic
Rhodes is sentenced life to prison without parole.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Rhodes was sentenced to life in prison without parole during an emotional hearing on Thursday morning.
Farah's mother Darlene sat in the front row of the court room and held pictures of her daughter.
"It's over." pic.twitter.com/TTgiNGE1KM
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
State Attorney Melissa Nelson detailed how Rhodes went into the Metro PCS on North Main Street with a gun, demanded money and then shot Farah three times after she handed him the last bit of cash.
State attorney Melissa Nelson not pursuing the death penalty, something Angela Corey was adamant about in this case. @ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) March 2, 2017
Rhodes had just been released from prison a few months before Farah's murder.
He served three years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before Farah's murder.
At one point during the hearing, Rhodes dropped to the ground and wept.
Rhodes just dropped to the floor weeping.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Farah told Rhodes she forgave him and said she'd been waiting for this day for three years and seven months.
She said waiting for the sentence was both a rollercoaster and nightmare.
For years before the hearing, Farah’s mother urged former State Attorney Angela Corey to take the death penalty off the table.
She said it would make her family endure a possibly years-long appeal process.
Corey said the law required her to seek death.
Judge tells victim's mother this has truly been an emotional case for so many.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Victim's mother looks at Rhodes: "you ripped my life from underneath. I cry every single day. I don't sleep."
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Victim's mother: "some days I feel like there's no hope. Sometimes I don't leave the house for days."
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
"I'm not here to attack Rhodes. I just want him to know who Shelby is," Mother says.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Rhodes says he needs a recess
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Victim's mother says she forgives Rhodes.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Darlene Farah in 2016: “I feel like life in prison is a death sentence because he will die in prison.” https://t.co/hilfUToDTY
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) March 2, 2017
Shelby Farah’s mother did not want her family to go through years-long appeals process https://t.co/cghNHTSa2S pic.twitter.com/wtr8zJcXYV
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) March 2, 2017
The victim's mother just walked in with pictures of Shelby close to her.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) March 2, 2017
Finally, Farrah's mother has been waiting for this, Rhodes expected to agree to a deal today according to a source. https://t.co/A3vV13V4QA
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) March 2, 2017
BREAKING: James Rhodes just pleaded guilty to shooting and killing Shelby Farah at Metro PCS in 2013. State attorney to hold press conference after hearing: http://bit.ly/2mwYCbM
Posted by Action News Jax on Thursday, March 2, 2017
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