Parents Of Victims, Price, Testify At Hicks Park Sentencing

The jury in the Darren Price murder trial will decide his punishment Thursday, but, on Wednesday, 15 witnesses testified.

Three people testified that when Price was younger, he beat them up; two of which had to go to the hospital.

The toughest part of a trial, however, was the victim impact statements. The parents of victims Ethan Nichols and Carissa Horton had a lot of people in the courtroom, in tears.

Nichols's father, Scott, said he'd been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and they had to sell their home and move because it was too close to the murder scene.

He said he's filled with a deep, empty sick feeling. Nichols's mother, Teresa, said, she wakes up sobbing, her heart pounding, thinking about her son's last moments.

She said the memories of his first step, his first day of school, his first, "I love you," now bring her excruciating pain.

Horton's father, Rod, said his world has stopped turning and he can't drive by any jogging path without crying. Her mother, Susan, said Carissa planned to marry Ethan after graduation, but now, no marriage, no grandchildren.

Price's mother and grandmother also testified.

His mother admitted smoking crack and pot nearly every day until he was three, including while she was pregnant. She said most of the homes they lived in had no running water or electricity. She also said she was in a very violent relationship.

She lost custody of Price when he was three and didn't get him back until he was 15, and then she kicked him to the streets.

Defense attorneys have more witnesses to call, but once they wrap up, the jury will get the case.