Shanterrica Madden was sentenced Tuesday for the murder of her roommate, Tina Stewart.
Stewart was fatally stabbed in March of 2011.
Before sentencing, Madden's father took the stand and apologized to Stewart's family.MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -
Former Middle Tennessee State University student Shanterrica Madden was sentenced Tuesday to 29 years in prison for the 2011 murder of her roommate, Lady Raider basketball player Tina Stewart.
Madden fatally stabbed Stewart in an off-campus apartment the two shared in early March of 2011 but claimed self-defense. She was found guilty in May.
Judge Don Ash sentenced Madden, now 20, to 25 years for the second degree murder conviction and four years for tampering with evidence.
The sentences will be served consecutively and Madden must serve 30% of the four-year sentence.
Twenty five years was the maximum sentence as a first time offender for the second degree murder conviction.
She faced up to six years for the tampering with evidence conviction.
Before sentencing, Madden's father took the stand and apologized to Stewart's family.
"We are Christian people. We are forgiving people. You all are Christian people. You all are forgiving people," he said, adding, "She made a mistake and didn't know how to handle it."
He continued, "To the Stewart family, we are sorry but it was two young ladies that got into a fight and I think the biggest problem is she didn't call 911."
"I ask you all to forgive my child. I know you won't forget but I ask you to forgive my child. She a humble child and a child of God," he concluded, adding, "She made a mistake."
A letter written by Shanterrica Madden was also read aloud in the courtroom.
In the letter, Madden apologized to the Stewart family saying, "I'm sorry for all the pain, tears and heartache I've caused your family. I hope your family can forgive me."
Madden won't be eligible for parole for at least 26 years. By then, she will be 46-years-old.
Madden will serve her sentence at the Tennessee Prison for Women.
Previous Stories:
- May 14, 2012: Shanterrica Madden guilty in MTSU roommate's murder
- May 12, 2012: Shanterrica Madden takes stand in own defense
- May 11, 2012: Friend saw MTSU student with blood on arm, knife
- May 10, 2012: Detective: Former MTSU student was 'nonchalant' about stabbing
- May 9, 2012: MTSU basketball player stabbing trial begins
- May 7, 2012: MTSU basketball player stabbing trial to begin Wednesday
- Feb. 22, 2012: Woman accused of killing MTSU basketball player files lawsuit
- Feb. 8, 2012: Slain basketball player's family files lawsuit against apt. complex
- Dec. 21, 2011: Judge refuses recusal in MTSU stabbing death trial
- Dec. 14, 2011: Attorney for former MTSU student seeks judge's recusal
- Nov. 28, 2011: Jury can ask questions in MTSU stabbing trial
- Oct. 28, 2011: No deal for MTSU student charged in player death
- Aug. 5, 2011: Deal offered to MTSU student charged with killing roommate
- July 19, 2011: Sister of slain MTSU student says killer deserves life
- July 7, 2011: Grand jury indicts MTSU student for roommate's death
- April 1, 2011: MTSU victim's family files $20M wrongful death suit
- March 24, 2011: MTSU student charged with killing roommate appears in court
- March 20, 2011: NCAA allows Lady Raiders to wear patch in honor of Tina Stewart
- March 16, 2011: MTSU student accused of murder appears in court
- March 11, 2011: Student accused of killing roommate out of jail
- March 11, 2011: Parents of MTSU murder suspect speak out
- March 9, 2011: Twitter may play role in MTSU basketball player's death
- March 7, 2011: MTSU Lady Raiders return home after loss
- March 6, 2011: MTSU loses in return to court after player death
- March 6, 2011: Funeral scheduled for slain MTSU basketball player
- March 4, 2011: Police work to determine what led to basketball player's death
- March 3, 2011: Hundreds gather at vigil for slain MTSU basketball player
- March 2, 2011: MTSU basketball player stabbed to death, roommate charged
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