Watch CBS News

Suspect Says McKees Rocks Fatal Shooting Was Tragic, Impulsive Act

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The victim's father told Judge Jeffrey Manning he visits his son's grave every Sunday. The defendant told the judge she asks God and the victim's family daily for forgiveness.

There were few dry eyes in the courtroom.

Destiny Brown was 17 when she says 19-year-old Marshawn Ptomey got into a fight with her friend as the two walked along a street in McKees Rocks.

As the two fought, she responded by pulling out a gun from her purse and firing, twice.

Ptomey was killed. She then fled the scene and threw the gun in the river.

But she tearfully admitted Thursday in court that was a tragic, impulsive act. She was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison on a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

The family of the victim said nothing can give them closure.

"No amount of time she would get would really bring my brother back," said Sonya Smith, the victim's sister. "I feel like five to 10 years for killing somebody, point blank range, in the back of their head? No. To me it doesn't do anything as you can see from the reaction of my family. It's kind of like a slap in the face in a sense."

Defense attorney Milton Raiford says Brown is also having difficulty coping.

"I know that what happened here was a tragedy, and I also know that she realizes that it was a tragedy," said Raiford. "And I think she was honest when she said that this is something that she's going to have to live with for the rest of her life."

A mental health expert also testified that Brown will need psychiatric treatment both in jail and when she's released.

RELATED LINKS:
Victim's Family Protests Judge's Ruling In McKees Rocks Shooting (10/15/12)
More reports on this case
More Reports by Harold Hayes

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.