The 19-year-old Cleveland teen accused of killing a young convenience store clerk during a robbery attempt pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Thursday.
Travis Bess was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He also agreed not to file any appeals.
The state had been prepared to go to trial seeking the death penalty.
Bess admitted shooting Burl Cooper six times during an $800 robbery.
The victim's mother made a statement at the sentencing, asking Best to look at a picture of her son she was holding.
Bess later asked to speak and said he was truly sorry for the incident. He said he did not know why he had shot the clerk.
The killing of the 18-year-old Cooper occurred in the summer of 2000.
Bess was also charged with robbing Domino's pizza restaurant.
The victim in the convenience store case was a Cleveland High School senior. He was gunned down at a Golden Gallon on 25th Street in Bradley County.
Bess was charged with especially aggravated felony murder in the death of Cooper. Police said he confessed to the robbery and the murder.
George Campbell of the Cleveland Police said several people saw Bess in the vicinity of the Golden Gallon around the time of the early morning slaying.
Police said Bess went to the Golden Gallon at about 4:15 a.m. and stood outside as if he was on the phone.
When he thought no one was inside except the clerk, he went inside to the restroom.
Afterwards, Bess allegedly went up to the young clerk, pulled out a .22-caliber pistol and ordered him to the rear of the store. He then shot him three times in the back and in the head.
Bess allegedly took $800 and the surveillance tape from the store before fleeing.
Police said Bess sold the gun to another person later in the day.
The victim had been planning to attend Middle Tennessee State University.