Neighborhood reacts to Sturgis sentencing

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – For the past seven months residents of W Washington Street have lived in the shadow of the tragic murder of 10-year-old Tramelle Sturgis, with the conviction and sentencing of his father, Terry Sturgis, some are hoping for closure.

Terry Sturgis, Tramelle’s father, was found guilty of the torture and murder of his son and of abusing his 14-year-old son at trial in May.  On Thursday Sturgis was sentenced to 140-years in prison.

"He should've got 160-years for what he did; I mean he's going to die in there and he deserves it,” exclaimed Alonzo Medina, who lives on W Washington Street.  “No kid should ever have to…the person that's protecting them; they shouldn't have to worry about them."

As a parent himself, Medina said he still couldn’t grasp how any parent could kill their own child.  He explained that the neighborhood remains haunted by what happened to Tramelle and many are hoping people have learned that what happened could’ve been avoided if somebody had reported the abuse.

"To be like, if they see something, they should report it when they normally would be like that's not my problem or whatever,” Medina explained.  “I'm more aware of stuff like that now and if I see abuse I'll report it, because look what happens when no one reports it.”

Dellia Castile, Tramelle’s Grandmother, is also facing charges related to his death and will be in court on October 1.