Teen sentenced for killing security guard

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Larry Brown was 16-years-old when he shot and killed security guard Michael Valentin.

Evidence, including a gun, a blue bandana, and a sneaker helped convict him three years later.

At his sentencing, Michael Valentin's sister, Angela Valentin, wanted Brown locked away forever. 

"I want you to send a message to these kids that you can't do things like that. You can't go around taking people's lives and don't know who you are hurting, " said Valentin.

The defense argued Brown came from a broken home with few role models.  His mother, Nicole Bailey, was in and out of his life and had her own legal troubles.

Monday Hillsborough Circuit Judge Samantha Ward sentenced Brown to life in prison with another 30 years for a gun charge.

But because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling "life" doesn't mean "life" for juvenile defendants.

The high court calls that "cruel and unusual punishment".

To get around that, the Florida legislature created a Juvenile Parole Board to review cases just like Larry Brown's case.

"He got that thirty year sentence so he will serve that thirty year sentence first.  After the thirty year sentence is up, if the court finds that life is not necessary in this case he could be released, but in all likelihood he will be serving the rest of his life in prison, " said Tampa attorney Anthony Rickman.