Sad Times These Days: 14-Year Old Sentenced To 20-50 Years For Shooting Mom

Joshua Smith will spend a large portion of his life in prison for fatally shooting his mother. The 14-year-old from Detroit, was sentenced to 20-50 years behind bars Friday (Oct .26).

The sentencing was attended by 50 students from Detroit Country Day High School, and family members, all in support of the young boy who reportedly wiped away tears after hearing the news. “Joshua is not a killer,” his grandmother Annie McKenzie told the judge.“I lost a daughter. Now I'm losing a grandson, as well. He was a good boy. I don't know what happened that night. Either Joshua had an insane moment, or there's something we need to get to the bottom of.”

Although Smith declined to speak at the sentencing, his uncle, Leshaun Roberts, forgave him in court. “I forgive you, and I love you. Please get him some help. You took my sister, and you know what you did, but your family still loves you.”

Smith shot his mother, Tamika Robinson, after an argument over him not being allowed to bring girls to the house, and hang out with a group of boys that she didn't think were a good influence. The teen broke into the family's safe and stole his mother's fiance's gun and shot her, while the family slept.

Because he is still a minor, Smith will spend the next four years in a juvenile facility before being transferred to an adult prison. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges, and was also given two years for using the weapon.