Kelsie Martin read a statement in court at St. John’s sentencing today, from the perspective of her deceased son.
Brayden’s grandmother, Victoria Bitner said, “we are pleased with the sentence. He’s going to do his time. He needs counseling and therapy to settle himself in life.”
Update@12:06 p.m.
Ryan “Luke” St. John’s lawyer requests that St. John not be placed in the same prison as Brayden Ferguson’s biological father.
RELATED: Murder trial: 2-year-old's injuries were 'violent and horrific'
Update@11:58 a.m.
St. John was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for the death of Brayden Ferguson.
Judge Gregory Singer said St. John has shown "no remorse."
The judge also said St. John must pay restitution and, per the law, awarded St. John 442 days of jail-time credit.
RELATED: Mother of 2-year-old: Boyfriend said he didn't want to go to prison
Update@11:54 a.m.:
Ryan "Luke" St. John sentencing starting amid heavy security. Deputies have separated different groups in the hallway and threatened to kick them out of the hearing.
St. John was found guilty of killing 2-year-old Brayden Ferguson in February 2017.
First report:
Ryan "Luke" St. John is scheduled to be sentenced today in the February 2017 death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.
RELATED: Boyfriend indicted on murder charges in 2-year-old's death
St. John, 23, was found guilty of murder and other charges including felonious assault, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children after the coroner's office confirmed the toddler, Brayden Ferguson, died from blunt force injuries shown to be a massive skull fracture.
RELATED: Mother of 2-year-old: Boyfriend said he didn't want to go to prison
The jury took less than four hours to reach a guilty verdict at the conclusion of the trial on April 6.
St. John was previously arrested in November 2015 after police received a report of suspected child abuse from a case worker, according to a police report.
RELATED: Murder trial: 2-year-old's injuries were 'violent and horrific'
A police detective was also punished for failing to properly investigate an alleged child abuse incident involving Brayden.
The toddler's mother and St. John's girlfriend, Kelsie Martin, testified during the trial.