Teen sentenced for killing man

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The 16-year-old girl who helped her boyfriend beat, stab, then suffocate an elderly Melrose man will spend the rest of her life behind bars. Morgan Leppert sat in shackles as the family of James Stewart waited for their chance to speak about how their life has changed without James. "Every night when I go to sleep, I pray that this whole thing will be one big bizarre nightmare," said James brother Mike.

James' brother and nephew were both inside the courtroom sitting about 15 feet from Morgan Leppert. Morgan barely made eye contact the entire time. Last month a jury found Morgan guilty of first-degree murder. The body of 66-year-old James Stewart as found in his Melrose home in May of 2008. Leppert later ran from Florida with her Toby Lowry. Investigators say the couple killed Stewart so they could steal his truck and run away.

Lowry already pled guilty in January and agreed to testify against Leppert in exchange for a life sentence.

James brother spoke for about 10 minutes. He spoke about the memories his brother gave him, the lessons he learned, and how hard it has been without him. "The most important lessons he taught me were determination, patience, and never knowing the words not or cant," said Mike Stewart.

Mike also spoke at length about growing up with a brother who suffered from a deformity. "James was born without hands, but according to Mike, that never set him back. I remember telling him when I was younger; I would give him one of my hands. He said, I don’t need it," said Mike with tears in his eyes.

"He was born with no hands. But one would think had advantages others didn’t," said James nephew.

Morgan Lepperts sentencing took only a few minutes. She faced three felonies, including 1st degree murder, burglary with assault, and robbery with a deadly weapon. She was sentenced to life on each, but also received no chance of parole on her murder charge.

Outside the courtroom, Lepperts attorney told Action News he has already filed an appeal. Attorney Christopher Smith said the punishment of life without parole is cruel and unusual for a girl as young as Morgan.

Putnam County Sheriffs Jeff Hardy was also in the courtroom for the sentencing. We told him what Lepperts attorney told us, he simply said justice has been served."I wanted to see closure for the family…and they got it here today. This thing will never go away for them I’m sure, but I just thought it was important to be here for the family," said Sheriff Hardy.