It's been nearly two years since Dakota White murdered Perry teen Sam Poss, but on Tuesday, Poss' family finally heard what punishment White will face.
The court took two weeks to review evidence before announcing its decision, due to White being 17-years-old at the time of the crime.
According to Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig, the state has to meet a higher-than-usual burden of evidence in order to sentence someone under the age of 18 to life without parole.
Houston County Superior Court Judge Edward Lukemire said the issue of whether White fit into "the narrow subset of juveniles" who deserve life without parole was at the heart of the hearing.
Lukemire handed down White's sentence.
"The defendant is in fact, irreparably corrupt, he exhibits irretrievable depravity which forecloses any reasonable prospects for rehabilitation," said Lukemire. "Sadly, he is permanently incorrigible. Accordingly, the defendant is sentenced to life without the possibility of parole."
White's public defender, Angie Coggins, argued that her client's young age and the remorse she said he showed after, meant he could rehabilitated.
In her view, that meant he deserved a life sentence with the possibility of parole.
Coggins said Judge Lukemire's decision was disappointing.
"I have a hard time imagining that anyone could condemn forever a 17-year-old child," said Coggins.
Sam Poss's father, Christian Poss, said White got exactly what he deserved for what he called a "senseless" crime.
"You understand a sickness," he said. "You understand an accident, you even understand a robbery--but you don't understand just pure evil."
The Posses say they're as satisfied as they can be about the sentence, but it will never bring them closure.
"No matter what, we still don't have Sam back," said Christian.
Poss' mom, Nicole, says despite it all, they try to stay strong for their son.
"He was loved and he was loved by a lot of people, and he wouldn't forgive us for giving up on that love," said Nicole.
Even after Tuesday's decision, the Posses might not be done in court.
Immediately after Judge Lukemire handed down the sentence, Coggins objected to it.
Coggins said she'll file a motion for a new trial to keep White's "appeal rights alive," but wouldn't say whether an appeal for the sentence was imminent.
Coggins also said she would not be representing White if he chooses to appeal the verdict.
Hartwig said appeals are common in cases like this one.
According to him, after a motion for a new trial is filed, Judge Lukemire will review everything that happened during White's trial and sentencing.
If the judge doesn't find anything out of place and rejects the motion, Hartwig says White could then appeal his case to the Georgia Supreme Court.
Christian made it clear he hopes White doesn't go down that road.
"Everyone knows that the crime was committed and that the people are guilty, if you had even a modicum of decency you'd just stop and let everything happen," said Christian.