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Bealeton teen sentenced in fatal stabbing
Michael Steve Hernandez, the Bealeton teen who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of Brandon James Campos, received a 10-year sentence on Monday.Judge Jeffrey W. Parker imposed the sentence during a hearing in Fauquier County Circuit Court.
Although he was 17 when he stabbed Campos at a party in Bealeton last summer, Hernandez was tried and convicted as an adult. However, Parker had some flexibility in sentencing due to Hernandez's age at the time of the offense.
The judge ordered Hernandez to remain incarcerated in juvenile detention until he is 21. The remainder of Hernandez's sentence will be suspended at that time, but he will be on supervised probation for five years upon his release.
"What we want to try to do is impress upon you and others is that these acts cannot be condoned,” Parker said. “These acts have consequences. We have to send a message to the community that there is a price to be paid and you will have to pay it."
In rendering his decision, Parker weighed testimony from mental health professionals who have examined Hernandez. They said Hernandez suffers from depression and ADHD.
Before Parker imposed the sentence, Hernandez read a statement in which he apologized to Campos' family.
"I am sorry for what I did. I know it was the worst possible thing I could do in my life, but I have changed my ways of thinking, and I am doing what I have to do to be a better person when I get out," Hernandez said.
Campos' mother, Iris Gwathmey, also testified. She said her son's death has left a huge void in her life, but that she has forgiven Hernandez for what he did.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
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