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Victim's Father In Deadly Baseball Attack Forgives Attacker

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- One of two teens who pleaded guilty to fatally beating a developmentally disabled man in Boulder was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday. The victim's father says he forgives his son's attacker.

Prosecutors asked for the maximum sentence of 50 years for Luke Pelham in the death of Aaron Tuneberg in 2014. They say he could have prevented Tuneberg's death but instead watched the deadly attack happen.

Luke Pelham
Luke Pelham (credit: Boulder Police Department)

The defense asked for 30 years because they say Pelham, 19, was manipulated into being a lookout for the other teen Austin Holford.

Pelham's mother told CBS4's Stan Bush that there is another side to the story, "You know what, there hasn't been a single journalist among you that would investigate the other side."

When asked to talk about it, she replied, "I can't."

Holford, considered the ring leader in the attack, previously been sentenced to 56 years in prison.

Austin Holford
Austin Holford (credit: Boulder Police Department)

Prosecutors say Tuneberg suffered serious head injuries and then died when the teens beat him with a baseball bat and a golf club so they could steal his Xbox and bicycle. They say Pelham joined Holford because he was seeking revenge for an earlier fight with Tuneberg.

Aaron Tuneberg
Aaron Tuneberg (credit: aaronsfund.com)

Tuneberg's father said he forgives Pelham.

Tuneberg's mother said Pelham has been given another chance to make a change.

"He's been given the gift of life because as the judge said, they could have convicted him of felony murder and he'd be going away for the rest of his life," said Tuneberg's mother Gale Boonstra.

Boonstra said although she's disappointed the judge didn't sentence Pelham to more years behind bars, she accepts the ruling.

Pelham read a written apology at his sentencing.

"I think the best outcome would be if he is able to turn his life around and I think it's going to be a lot of work. So, maybe I won't live that long to see that," said Boonstra.

Boonstra said they are trying to move forward and have set up a memorial fund in Tuneberg's name. If he would have lived, he would have been 32 years old later this month.

Aaron's Fund
c/o The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
1123 Spruce Street
Boulder, CO 80302

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