Byron v. State

Blackburn, Presiding Judge.

Following a bench trial, Derrick Byron was found guilty but mentally ill of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years to serve 15. He appeals, arguing that the sentence was too harsh in light *573of his mental illness. Because the sentence was within the range allowed for this crime, we affirm.

Construed in favor of the judgment, the evidence shows that in retaliation for a 12-year-old boy’s throwing an egg at him, 14-year-old Byron shot and killed the boy. Byron was indicted for murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. At trial, expert testimony showed that…