NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — On Friday, Gaven Smith walked into his sentencing hearing at the Nassau County Courthouse with a smile on his face.

A judge sentenced him as an adult to 15 years in prison for killing 16-year-old Trent Fort. Smith pleaded guilty to the crime in September.

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Fort was a football player, a brother and a son.

In court, a cell phone video showed Fort was shot outside a car with other teens in February 2020 off Lem Turner Road in Callahan. Smith was seen in the car.

In court, the state said Smith was in the middle of a drug deal, and that he and Fort got into an altercation. The state said Smith later told police Fort had hit him; that’s when Smith shot Fort.

The state said Smith “pretty much” told police the truth based on video of the incident.

Judge James Daniel said both Smith and Fort made poor decisions that day, adding that Smith had a rough upbringing.

“There’s no question after hearing the evidence today that Gavin Smith’s life before February 24, 2020 was difficult. He experienced repeated traumatic events, was exposed to substance abuse and was exposed to domestic violence at an early age,” Daniel said.

Fort’s parents, Paige Hall and Thareus Fort, say they’re surprised by Smith’s sentencing. Hall says she was expecting the maximum sentence of 30 years.

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“Not enough. Not enough for me,” Hall said.

Fort’s father, Thareus Fort added: “Fifteen years is not gonna help. You can’t bring my son back. But it is a stab in the back when you hear fifteen years for a life that was taken.”

In court, Smith apologized, asking for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what happened and I’m sorry that those who loved him are grieving over his loss,” Smith said.

He promised the courtroom he would improve himself. Hall says she can’t take Smith’s apology seriously.

“Just because Gaven grew up in a bad home and they want to portray it to be his upbringing is the reason why it’s okay for him to kill my son, it’s not okay,” Hall said.

Hall also claimed after the hearing that Fort was not in a drug deal, and said he was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

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Fort’s family plans to keep pushing for justice.

The judge also sentenced Smith to fifteen years for possession of a firearm by a delinquent minor. That sentencing will run concurrent with his 15-year murder sentencing. Smith will also be on probation for ten years after he is released.

Another teen involved, Ashton Riggs, has been charged as an adult with accessory to murder.

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