Man gets 35 to 70 years in pregnant girlfriend's murder
Roysce Haynes, 30, was convicted in April of murdering Atiya Perry and their unborn child.
AN EAST Germantown man found guilty in April of murdering his pregnant girlfriend was sentenced yesterday to 35 to 70 years in prison - but not before telling the judge he's feeling the same pain as the victim's family.
"I would like to apologize to the family for this tragic incident that has occurred," Roysce Haynes, 30, said before being sentenced. "I feel the same thing, as well."
Common Pleas Judge Barbara McDermott said that Haynes was "selfish" and that he was responsible for his girlfriend's death.
Haynes was found guilty of third-degree murder April 30 for choking Atiya Perry, 24, to death in September 2012. After the sentence was handed down, Haynes said he wanted to appeal.
The victim's mother, Patricia Perry, told the judge she's had a "hard time" and had warned her daughter about Haynes' violent behavior. Last Saturday, Perry said, she was finally able to pick out a headstone for her daughter and unborn grandchild.
"Now," she said after the sentencing, "I've been set free."