One of the men who is accused of killing Alabama rapper Doe B was sentenced to 85 years in prison Wednesday, according to NBC affiliate WSFA.
The sentencing stemmed from a 2013 shooting at the Centennial Hill Bar and Grill in Montgomery, Alabama, where Darius Thomas and two other men allegedly opened fire. Doe B (born Glenn Thomas), Kimberle Johnson, and Timnarious Hamilton were fatally shot during the incident, and six others were left injured. Doe B was 22-years-old at the time and was signed to T.I.’s label, Grand Hustle Records.
WSFA reports Darius Thomas, 28, accepted a plea deal back in December, pleading guilty to three counts of murder. He is the first defendant to be sentenced in the case. His co-defendants, Taboris Mock and Jason McWilliams, are currently out on bond and awaiting trial.
Darius Thomas’ family asked the court to show mercy to the father of five, as he had a clean record and simply got involved with the wrong crowd. Judge Greg Griffin told the defendant he made the right choice by accepting the plea, because, otherwise, he most likely would’ve received life in prison without parole.
Darius Thomas apologized to the victims’ families during Wednesday’s court hearing.
“I have forgiven you and you have to forgive yourself,” Johnson’s mother, Barbara Green told him.
Before he left the courtroom, Judge Griffin asked Thomas to speak to a group of young people who were sitting in the jury box. The teens, who attended the hearing along with nonprofit leader Charles Lee, received some important life advice from Darius Thomas.
“Get a real job, find Jesus, and take life seriously,” he told the group. “Be a man, mind your responsibilities and find God in your life. It took me coming here to find God […] Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Your homeboy isn’t your homeboy. Don’t get in the wrong crowd.”
