JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 10/25/19: A jury found Kelley Permenter guilty of DUI manslaughter, DUI with damage and leaving the scene in the 2017 death of Hunter Cope.
#ANJaxBREAKING Kelley Permenter found guilty on all three counts, including DUI manslaughter in the death of 12-year-old Hunter Cope. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/nQOdLq9DIq
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 25, 2019
Cope's mother Crystal Clark was sitting in the front row of the courtroom and let out a deep breath when the guilty verdict was read.
Permenter's bond was revoked and her sentencing is set for November 25.
Original story from 10/24/19 below:
"It's very painful for me, very painful," Crystal Clark said.
Clark has been going through a whirlwind of emotions having to recount her son Hunter Cope's last moments on earth.
JUSTICE FOR HUNTER: That’s what his mom says she’s hoping for tomorrow in court.
— Dani Bozzini (@DaniANjax) October 25, 2019
Hear the heartbreaking struggle she fights everyday to keep his memory alive only on @ActionNewsJax at 11. https://t.co/0xm3tHSFMI pic.twitter.com/Ts2WeFwvaS
"It is very, very emotionally draining."
According to police, Kelley Permenter was driving drunk and high when she hit and killed Cope while he was walking to school in 2017.
Ever since, Clark has been trying to set up a memorial in her son's honor.
"We made these nice signs ‘Justice for Hunter' signs I wanted to put them out at his memorial spot."
But she says, they keep coming down.
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"It's very frustrating, very frustrating because most people they have their memorials and you see them along the side of the road but mine I can't have a memorial for him."
Despite the frustration, she says she will never stop keeping his memory alive.
And although she's hoping for justice, regardless of what happens in court Friday she says, "I'm always going to remember Hunter, I'm always going to have him in my heart ."
Court is expected to resume Friday morning at the Duval County Courthouse where a verdict is likely to be reached.
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