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Port Arthur man gets 25 years in prison for 2020 murder

Darian Tremain Petry was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the August 2020 murder of 30-year-old Kenneth Swallow of Port Arthur.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A Jefferson County Judge sentenced a Port Arthur man in the 2020 shooting death of 30-year-old man. 

Darian Tremain Petry was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the August 2020 murder of Kenneth Swallow of Port Arthur.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above is from an August 17, 2020 newscast.)

Petry appeared Wednesday morning via Zoom from jail before Judge Raquel West in the 252nd District Court to receive his sentence. He will get credit for the time he has been held in jail since his arrest. 

He previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Swallow. 

The plea agreement stated that the judge could give him a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Swallow's mother gave a testimony during Wednesday's sentencing. 

She told the court her son's death "took everything away" and "destroyed her family".

She believes Prey should have faced execution. 

“25 years is not enough,” she told the court.

Petry's sister also gave testimony during Wednesday's sentencing hearing. 

She told the court her brother was always there for their mother when she had medical issues and he was always there for the family.

Petry spoke before the sentencing, saying he was sorry for what he did.

His attorney told Judge West if Petry had that moment in time once again, he would not killed Swallow.

He asked the judge to consider that Petry cooperated with police and if the judge could sentence him to 20 years, but was instead sentenced to 25.

RELATED: Suspect arrested after man killed in Sunday night shooting in Port Arthur

On August 17, 2020, Petry went to the Port Arthur Police Department voluntarily and confessed to the murder, according to the police. 

Investigators previously determined that Petry and Swallow were acquaintances. 

The shooting happened in the 3100 block of 10th Street at 10:32 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2020. 

Officers found Swallow unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived at the scene. Justice of the Peace Mark DeRouen pronounced Swallow dead at the scene.

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