Paul Henry Gingerich, 18, has been in jail since six years ago and now having a chance for freedom under a new law named after him. He is so far the youngest inmate, having been jailed when he was just 12 for killing a 49-year old man.
Gingerrich was imprisoned for killing a friend's stepfather. He is expected to be freed in four months.
The teen is still under electronic monitoring through April 2020 while to be on probation for 10 years after taking off from prison, this is based on his sentence that was modified on Friday.
Most people can still remember that baby face that entered the prison six years ago. Now the question is, "how will this kid continue life after prison?"
Standing 6 feet tall and with broad shoulders, Gingerich faced the court Friday. He read a statement about his remorse for his role in the 2010 death of Phil Danner. It was reported that his voice was shaky while doing so.
"I know I committed a truly horrible crime and I am sorry for that," USA Today quoted Gingerich saying. "I will never stop being sorry and I know sorry will never be enough." He added.
The family of the late Danner did not speak to the court although his sister and daughter offered letters to Judge James Heuer, as reported by Indianapolis Star. Due to the loss of Danner, the family asked that Gingerich be given an extended stay in an adult prison in spite of the teen's six-year service in the juvenile facilities.
Considering what the Heuer's sentence says, Gingerich could spend as little as three months at the Correctional Industrial Facility in an adult jail in Pendleton. There he could be in a program for inmates with disabilities.
While others do not know it, Gingerich's health is not in good condition. He actually suffered from Crohn's disease, which is an incurable illness that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract. He had multiple surgeries in the past. Some parts of his colon have been removed, and he has worn a colostomy bag.
Gingerich was a sixth-grader with parents in divorce proceedings back in 2010 when he and 15-year-old Colt Lundy planned to drive out west. What future would he get outside the cell? Nobody still knows.
