DUNCAN, Okla. – After over an hour of closing arguments, the jury decided the fate of 17-year-old Chancey Luna.
On Friday afternoon, the jury found Luna guilty of first-degree murder.
In August of 2013, investigators say Luna was in a car with two other teens when they decided to kill someone.
Prosecutors say Luna pulled the trigger, killing 22-year-old Christopher Lane, who was jogging in Duncan.
The prosecution called this case senseless, saying Luna “took Christopher Lane’s life away.”
The prosecution said Lane’s death was unlawful and caused with malice and forethought.
However, the defense disagreed.
The defense admits Luna shot Lane, but he had not planned on shooting him.
“At his age, he can be rehabilitated,” the defense said in its closing.
The maximum punishment Luna faces is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The jury recommended he be sentenced to the maximum punishment.
After his guilty verdict Luna was escorted to his cell. On the way he quietly said “I’m sorry”, an apology to Lane’s family.
Luna’s Mother, Jennifer, was tearful and angry over the decision.
“They got what they wanted. They took my son and now my heart is black,” Jennifer said. “My son was 16 years old. It was not meant to be. My son is not a killer!”
Knowing Luna will be locked behind bars brings Lane’s family relief.
“This naughty boy is now never going to do this to any other family,” Donna Lane, Chris’s mother, said.
“The decision is just something that finishes a stage. It means it’s not in front of us it’s something else behind us. It doesn’t change the fact that we don’t get to take Chris home. It doesn’t change the fact of what happened,” Peter Lane said.
Lane’s sisters said they have been robbed.
“For me the biggest loss is my girls and that I had a baby girl a year ago and she’ll never get to meet Christopher and she won’t get to enjoy his fun for life,” Andrea Kane, Chris’s sister, said.
“Every day we feel his loss and we just love him so much,” Erin Lane said.
Luna’s sentencing is scheduled for June 16.
Prosecution says this was a "senseless case" and Luna "took Christopher Lane's life away." #lunamurdertrial
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
Prosecution says "there's no doubt about it" Lane's "death was unlawful" and caused with "malice and forethought". #lunamurdertrial #kfor
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
Defense admits Luna did shoot and kill Lane, but says it wouldn't have happened if all three boys weren't together. #lunamurdertrial
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
Defense argues there was no plan to shoot Christopher Lane #lunamurdertrial
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
"At his age he can be rehabilitated." Defense asking jury if they do find Luna guilty to give him life. "38 years in prison is a long time."
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
The jury finds Chancy Luna guilty of first degree murder and has sentenced him to life without parole. #lunamurdertrial @kfor
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
"No moment in my life will ever be the same again." Lane's sister cries while reading victim impact statement. #ChristopherLane #kfor
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
Another sister of Christopher says he won't get to be the fun uncle for her kids anymore and has been robbed of the chance to have his own.
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
Chris's mother: "My life has changed permanently." #ChristopherLane #lunamurdertrial
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
"The sadness is always there." Christopher's dad gives his impact statement. Tears fall in the courtroom. #ChristopherLane #lunamurdertrial
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) April 17, 2015
The two other teens involved in the case have also been charged.
Michael Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Court records show he will serve life in prison and receive credit for time served.
James Edwards Jr. is charged with accessory after the fact.
