GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - One of the youngest people convicted of murder in Grand Rapids is less than six months away from being a free man.
Keishawn Mann was 13 in 2010 when he killed his mother's boyfriend in a Kentwood home.
Mann has been in custody at the Muskegon River Youth Home after admitting to shooting Jermelle Stokes in the head following domestic violence allegations on June 11, 2010.
Mann was at a status hearing Tuesday in Grand Rapids to determine his ability to be released back into society. After finding positive assurance from both the judge and administrators at the youth home, Mann told FOX 17 what he plans on doing with a second chance at freedom.
"I'm going to continue what I need to do, you know?" said Mann. "I'll continue my life like I was before, before this tragic moment."
Mann agreed to a plea agreement in 2010. He is eligible to be released on his 21st birthday, which is in December. If Mann had been convicted of the original open murder charge, he could have faced up to life in prison. Now seven years later, family and friends have been by Mann's side since the beginning.
"I'm happy my family is there to see me and that's really it," Mann said.
According to the judge, Mann has been attending Mid-Michigan Community College during his time at the youth home, serving as a mentor to juveniles in the program.
Mann's guardians at the youth home are now trying to find him a job and get Mann enrolled in community college before his release. The judge is now allowing Mann an extended four days at either his mom or dad's home each month in an effort to re-expose him to society.
The 20-year-old has two more court hearings before his possible release date in December.
