Family members of a Meridian teen killed in a 2013 automobile accident applauded Judge Lester Williamson’s sentencing Wednesday of Collinsville’s Mitchell James Roberts to 25 years in prison, with seven suspended.

    Roberts, 24, was convicted in a second trial of DUI manslaughter in the death of 14-year-old Arnold Jamarcus Altman Jr.

    Roberts was first charged after he was involved in a head-on crash on Highway 19 North in July 2013 that resulted in the death of the teen. The first trial in the case ended in a mistrial last May.

    Dressed in a red and white-striped jumpsuit and wearing handcuffs, Roberts showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down. He glanced over and nodded at nearby family members at least three times during the two hour hearing.

    Along with the time to be served, Roberts was also sentenced to five years probation with total fines and fees of $10,543, including $7,150 in funeral expenses. He was credited with the 119 days he has spent in jail.

    “I feel like we got justice right now. I hope this makes an example for him to learn his lesson,” Altman’s mother, Clarice, said after sentencing.

    Mrs. Altman became emotional on the witness stand after she was given the opportunity to present an impact statement before sentencing.

    “My son is gone and (Roberts) is here. He’s laughed about it and this wasn’t funny,” Clarice Altman said as her voice broke. “It was like he didn’t even care. My baby could be here right now. My baby could have been a doctor or a veterinarian. He just loved animals. I miss all that. It hurts me so bad because my baby is not here. He shouldn’t be in the cemetery.”

    The mother said the death affected her 14-year-old daughter, Aaliyah.

    “My daughter gets up crying at night and talking about her brother,” Clarice Altman said. “My baby has to go to counseling over this because she misses her brother so much.”

    Arnold Altman, the young victim’s father, also said he thought the sentence was just.

    “I’m satisfied with the sentence. I’m not trying to get the boy put away for life. I’m satisfied with the sentence and hope it’s a lesson to be learned for him. I hope he learns from this; he does have a second chance at life.”

    Prosecutor Stanley Alexander, of the Division of Public Integrity of the State Attorney General’s Office, said the judge handed down the correct sentence.

    “I think the sentence was fair and proper for a defendant with a past criminal history like Mr. Roberts,” Alexander said.

    Roberts has two convictions for DUI and another pending. He was also convicted of house burglary.

    Alexander was assisted by Molly Miller.

    Defense attorney Stewart Parrish said an appeal is next.

    “It’s going to get appealed,” Parrish said. “I’m not going to criticize the judge on the sentencing. The sentencing is within statutory guidelines.”

    Other Altman family members also applauded the sentence.

    “The judge got us on the right side of the bed,” his uncle Johnny Sims said.

    In the sentencing phase, Williamson mentioned he had a daughter who died in July 2015 and how the loss affected family members.

    “It’s a sad case for Mr. Roberts and tragic for the Altmans,” Williamson said. “The appropriate sentence will address the issue. I’m aware of the pain of the Altmans.”