COVINGTON, Ga. - Antavian Love, 17, will spend the rest of his life in prison after the sentencing decision was made by Alcovy Judicial Circuit Judge Samuel Ozburn Friday morning in the Newton County Judicial Center.
“Antavian Love was sentenced today to life without the possibility of parole for the murder of Enrique Trejo. This means that he will not ever be released from prison,” District Attorney Layla Zon said in a statement to The Covington News. “It was the harshest sentence under the law for a juvenile offender and in this particular case, with these particular horrendous facts, it was a just sentence.
“I want to thank the jurors who served on this heart-wrenching case. Enrique Trejo was a great husband, father and member of this community. I know that his family and this community will continue to grieve his loss even beyond this guilty verdict and sentence.”
Love was found guilty on seven charges on April 13, in the June 18, 2016 murder of Enrique Ramirez Trejo. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered by Ozburn before Friday’s sentencing hearing could take place.
Defense Attorney Teri Doepke, of the Alcovy Circuit Public Defender's Office, urged the judge to consider sentencing Love to a single life sentence, which would mean the possibility of parole after 30 years.
However, Ozburn agreed with the state’s recommendation and sentenced Love to life without the possibility of parole for the malice murder charge. The two charges of felony murder were vacated. The armed robbery charge tallied a life sentence to run concurrently with the malice murder charge. The aggravated assault charge was also merged with the malice murder charge. The theft by receiving charge was merged with the armed robbery charge. The possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony charge added five years, to be served consecutively, totaling a life sentence without the possibility of parole plus an additional five years.
Ozburn said Love shows a “consistent disrespect for authority” and a “consistent disregard for other people.”
Trejo’s wife, who asked to only be quoted as Mrs. Trejo, thanked the community for its support.
“I want to thank the whole community and everybody involved, the time the jury took and everybody for their prayers, thank you so much,” she said. “I have everybody in my prayers.”
Doepke said she would file Love's motion for new trial, which is due within 30 days of sentencing and will pursue his appeal from there.
Doepke had no additional comments to offer on the sentencing.
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Community Reporter Darryl Welch contributed to this report.
