Man who murdered 12-year-old sentenced in hearing Monday

Alvin Conwell sentenced in hearing Monday

DETROIT – The hearing for Alvin Conwell, found guilty for murdering a 12-year-old boy and wounding another man, was in court Monday morning.

Conwell, 33, of Detroit, was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and felony firearm.

Read: Man charged with shooting, killing 12-year-old Detroit boy

After a few words from the prosecutor and the grandmother of the 12-year-old victim, Conwell stood before the court and said he was innocent of the crimes. He also said a few words to the victims' families.

"I would like to say I'm sorry for the loved one of the little boy, of the man too who accused me of shooting him," Conwell said. "I would like to say I'm innocent of this crime and my heart go out to him and the little boy."

His statements came after the prosecutor said that Conwell deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

"The continued refusal by this defendant to take responsibility for his actions is really stunning to me," the prosecutor said. "Especially given that the evidence in this case is so unbelievably overwhelming. ... If the defendant wants to know who's responsible for where he is right now, every day for the rest of his life, he needs to look in the mirror, and start to take responsibility and not blame everybody else for this."

This statement prompted Conwell, who had previously sat facing the judge, to turn around and look at the prosecutor before an officer motioned for him to turn back around.

"The sentence in this particular case is mandatory life, and that he will never have a chance to harm another child like he did and devastate another family like he has," the prosecutor said.

The judge ruled in favor of the jury.

"There was overwhelming evidence in this case against you Mr. Conwell," she said, issuing the following sentence.

Count 1: first-degree premeditated homicide - incarceration in the Michigan Department of Corrections for life without parole

Count 2: assault with intent to murder - 20-50 years

Count 3: assault with intent to murder - 20-50 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections

Count 4: felony firearm - two years of incarceration in the Michigan Department of Corrections

The judge told Conwell that counts one through three will be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay an undetermined amount in restitution.