When given the chance to speak, Memeo gave a terse statement apologizing "for the trouble I caused." He promised to stay on his medication and off drugs, "so nothing like this ever happens again."
Lowery noted the earliest Memeo could be released from prison is in 27 years, if he behaves while behind bars and accumulates good time. Memeo would be in his 70s, the defense attorney said.
Irma's son Sha-Clane Williams said his mother likely would have forgiven her killer. He doubted he could do the same, he said. Sha-Clane described Irma as his best friend and a woman who opened her home to family and strangers in need.
"We didn't have the best life but she always made the best of it," he said, adding he once believed she would always be in his life.