TOWSON, Md. — It's been two-and-a-half years of sleepless nights for Norman Albert Jr.
That's how long it's been since his 91-year-old father, Norman Sr., was found beaten to death inside his Baltimore County home on Hines Road.
On Friday a judge sentenced his killer, Gary Parrish, to 40-years behind bars, calling it "the most horrific" murder she'd ever seen.
Parrish is the son of a woman who reportedly had prior involvement with the elder Norman. Investigators believe Parrish intended to rob him.
Police discovered Parrish's shoe prints at the crime scene. Norman Jr., who lived just two doors down from his dad, suspected Parrish all along.
Although he denied the killing, Parrish told the judge he feels very sorry, describing Norman Sr. as "a kind man."
Defense attorneys for Parrish tried convincing the judge to impose a lesser sentence between 12 and 20 years, which falls more within the guidelines of a second degree murder conviction.
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They argued Parrish had never been arrested before this case, while also talking up his good behavior in jail.
Parrish himself begged for leniency, saying he doesn't "want to die in prison."
In the end the judge said what Parrish did was "an absolutely unfathomable crime," leading her to hand down a 40-year sentence.
The reaction of Parrish's mother resulted in her temporary removal from the courtroom. She later declined the chance to make an impact statement of her own.
Parrish now has 30 days to file a notice of appeal.
