Nautica Cox convicted; victim’s mother says ‘justice has been served’ – ABC 6 News

(ABC 6 News) – During a sentencing hearing Monday, Nautica Cox, the second defendant in a 2021 shooting case that resulted in the death of Todd Lorne Banks Jr., received 30 years on amended charges listed in a September plea deal .

RELATED: UPDATE: Nautica Cox sentenced to 360 months for accessory in murder case

The hearing was a short and bittersweet affair, especially for Laneice Bryant, Banks’ mother, whom she and others called JR.

Bryant was the first to speak at the hearing, offering the court a victim impact statement.

In the statement, she noted the toll JR’s death had and would have on her and her family, especially on JR’s son, born after his death.

Bryant also wrote that Cox “didn’t have enough time in jail to pay” for their loss.

“He was a very nice, intelligent, handsome young man,” she said outside the courthouse after the hearing. “We miss him so much and today I just want to say rest in peace to my son.”

Cox also spoke at the hearing, seemingly taking responsibility for his actions.

He apologized to Bryant and even praised her for her courage in taking a stand in making her statement.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “I will suffer from it for the rest of my life.”

Judge Christa Daily ended the proceedings with some further comments.

Bryant offered her own condolences, saying there was nothing in the justice system that could really make things better, but they are doing their utmost to ensure justice is served.

Daily also spoke to Cox and said that this experience didn’t have to be the “summary” of his life, and that he could still make something of it if he wanted to.

When the verdict came down, Bryant felt relieved but not satisfied.

“All I could do was accept what the judge gave him,” she said. “I mean, I want more, but he had some sympathy or something. You know, I feel a little sorry for him.”

“Justice has been served, you know, I just have to leave the rest in God’s hands.”