WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and SportsVa. cousins get maximum term in athlete's death
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Associated Press - June 4, 2009 11:05 AM ET
POWHATAN, Va. (AP) - A Powhatan County judge sentenced two cousins convicted of killing a popular high school athlete to the maximum term but indicated he didn't think it was enough time.
Joey Parrish Jr. was sentenced to 16 years and Ethan Parrish to 11 years Thursday for the June 2008 shooting death of Tahliek Taliaferro and wounding of another teen. The cousins were convicted in March of reduced charges of involuntary manslaughter.
The Parrishes originally were charged with first-degree murder, and the verdict sparked protests from community members who alleged race played a role in the decision. Taliaferro was black; the Parrishes are white. The jury had 11 white people and one black person.
The victims' families said they were pleased that the cousins got the maximum punishment but still believe it would have been more had the victims been white.
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