Snow
MADISON COUNTY -- Jesse Snow walked into the courtroom Friday to hear his sentence.
The 24-year-old was convicted of manslaughter after he slammed 3-year-old Aadon Olmstead's head on a concrete floor while he was caring for him. Aadon died about a month later.
"It's been empty. Empty in our souls, empty in our hearts, just empty in our life," said Jessica Case, family representative.
Snow apologized in court to Aadon's family and said he wishes things were different.
"I really am sorry. Anyone who had the chance of spending a couple minutes with Aadon, or ever met him, knows how special Aadon was to everyone," said Snow.
Aadon Olmstead, 3, died last March after a Madison County man slammed the child's head into a concrete floor. Friday, Jesse Snow, 24, apologized to Aadon's family. Our Katie Morse has more on his sentencing during an emotional day in court.
Snow was sentenced to 23 years in prison, which the prosecution said was well-deserved.
"This is a 3-year-old child who suffered unspeakable acts, and as a consequence died,” said Madison County District Attorney Jeff Aumell. "There's nothing. There are few things more tragic than that."
When he first called 911, Snow said that Aadon had fallen down a flight of stairs, but he later changed his story and said the two of them were playing when they both fell, and Snow fell on top of Aadon. Now before the sentencing the judge said that he thought changing a statement like that was the sign of a guilty conscience, and both sides agreed that played a role during the sentencing.
"I think in the end it turned out to be damaging," said Madison County Public Defender Paul Hadley.
"I do think that certainly was a factor, and he illustrated that when he handed down the sentence," said Aumell.
Aadon's family said now they'll continue their grieving process, and move on as best they can.
Snow continues to say that the incident was an accident, and his attorney says he plans to appeal the sentencing.