Watch CBS News

Teen Gets Maximum Sentence For Murder Of 13-Year-Old Boy

DENVER (CBS4) - A teenager will spend decades behind bars for the murder of a 13-year-old boy.

The judge sentenced Lonnie White, 18, to 40 years in the Department of Corrections after White took a second-degree murder plea deal, sparring him a life sentencing.

Reysean Abram
Reysean Abram (credit: Facebook)

The family of Reysean Abram, the 13-year-old shot in his chest, showed up to court in a large crowd that become so emotional that deputies had to clear the hallways.

Leland Hines is the victim's cousin.

"I lost my little cousin to gang violence. We just have to make the best of it. He's in a better place right now," Hines said.

Outside the courtroom the suspect's father was seen hugging the victim's mother and both were crying.

White received the maximum sentencing the judge could give. White is a known gang member, according to prosecutors. His friend would only speak to CBS4 in disguise.

"It's sad, it's really sad. He's only 18 and for him to look at that much time, it's sad, but you can't really do anything about it," the friend said.

Abram was shot in the chest after leaving a party where there had been name calling between bloods and crips. Prosecutors say White fired the shot that killed Abram with a stolen assault rifle that has never been found. White was shooting out of a car that was being driven by another suspect in this case.

The charges were dismissed against one of the other two suspects. Marquise Lewis is scheduled for a hearing this August.

More Reysean Abram Stories

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.