FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a murdered high school student was honored at what would have been the teen's graduation on Friday.
Roswell High School held its commencement ceremony Friday night for Natalie Henderson, with purple balloons in her honor.
"Let us all applaud you for being strong and staying strong that you got closure this week,” principal Jerome Huff said “We love you, the Hendersons."
Henderson was a week from starting her senior year when Jeffrey Hazelwood shot and killed her and student Carter Davis at Roswell grocery store last August.
Davis attended River Ridge High School in Woodstock, and was an honor student and athlete, who played football and lacrosse.
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Davis led the lacrosse team in assists for the 2016 season.
The judge who sentenced the teenagers' killer says the case should shine a light on the need for more resources for mental health.
Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua sentenced Hazelwood to life without parole Wednesday after he pleaded guilty but mentally ill.
"We are not giving the resources, we are not addressing the huge issue of mental health,” LaGrua said. “There's no excuse for criminals, but if we don't address it, we have a perpetuation of crime by the same individuals.”
The judge also wants to make sure society does not stigmatize the vast majority of the mentally ill who never commit a violent crime.
Cox Media Group
