“I’m feeling justified,” said Cheryl Carter, Kai Carter’s mother. “I’m just glad that justice was served.”

 

For Mrs. Carter, the pain of losing her son will never end, but she says she can find peace in knowing Jorge Gomez will serve the next decade or two in prison. 

 

 “Taking a life is a serious offense and you destroy so many other lives,” Carter said.

 

After a week-long trial in September, Gomez was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, some aggravated assault charges and illegal possession of a firearm. 

 

“We feel that basically the 10 to 20 year sentence was exactly what we had requested, what we were hoping for, and we believe the family is very pleased with that sentence,” said First Assistant District Attorney Jackie Bernard.

 

Gomez and his fiancee stood before Judge Elizabeth Doyle, asking for a lesser sentence so he could help raise his children, but Judge Doyle stayed firm. 

 

“They were so concerned with how their children were gonna be cared for, but my grandchildren will never see their father again,” Carter said.

 

Some facts of the case are still disputed by both families, but prosecutors said the result is what is important. 

 

“What he did, what Mr. Gomez did…is not going to be tolerated in this community,” said Assistant DA Peter Weeks.  “Both law enforcement and the court system is not going to tolerate that type of behavior.”

 

“I have a lot of gratitude for Judge Doyle, for the Commonwealth District Attorney’s office, and also Atloona Police Department,” Carter said. “Thank you so much. It was a good job you guys did and you gave my family some peace.”

 

Gomez will be transferred from the Blair County Prison to a state correctional facility where he will spend the next 10 to 20 years.  He is being credited with time served.