Hempstead County Man Accused Of Murder Sentenced To 30 Years

A 20 year old man convicted in the death of a toddler learned his fate today in Hempstead County. The family of the young child was in the courtroom, unhappy with the states decision on a sentence. "If that would have been a black boy killed a white baby, he would probably be hanging from the tree." Patsy White walked out of the Hempstead County Courthouse angry about the sentence given to her grandsons killer. Nikkis White died after being beaten to death by his 19 year old babysitter in April of 2006. "He beat him to death. He laid there so long the skin peeled off his feet." Against the victims familys wishes, Doneric Thirdgill pleaded guilty to a first degree murder charge as part of a plea agreement. He must serve 70 percent of a 30 year sentence, and the 17 month old boys family says that is not enough time. "We will not be able to watch him play football or go to prom. Justice has not been served, and we got an eggshell," says Shelia Woodberry, Nikkis godmother. The boys mother was at a loss of words in court Wednesday. Family members say it is not the closure they wanted.They wanted Thirdgill to suffer. "We all loved him (Nikkis). We miss him," mother LaQuisha Conway says. "We put angels on his grave. There was no justice today," White says. Thirdgill will get credit for the time he has already served. KTAL tried to talk to his family outside the courtroom but they had nothing to say.