Mother to daughter's convicted killer: I can never forgive you

A judge sentenced James VanCallis to life in prison Wednesday for the murder of an Armada teenager.

April Millsap was killed while she was walking her dog in July of 2014 on the Macomb Orchard Trail. Authorities say the St. Clair County man hit the teen with a motorcycle helmet and stomped on her.

After weeks of testimony, it took a jury just six hours to convict James VanCallis in the death of April Millsap. Because he was convicted of first-degree murder, he was automatically be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

VanCallis spoke at the hearing before the sentence was handed down. He maintained his innocense, as he did in an phone interview from jail with FOX 2's Charlie Langton.

"This is a sad chain of events that somehow I'm wrapped up in," VanCallis said.

"The reality is we're here to sentence you," the judge interceded, after VanCallis continued to state that he wants a new trial.

After the judge handed down the sentence, VanCallis stated that was signing the appeals form and wants to get it filed today.

April's mother also spoke at the sentencing.

"I pity you and I hate you. I can never forgive you," she said to VanCallis.

FOX 2's Erika Erickson was in court and will have more details on what happened in the courtroom on FOX 2 News tonight beginning at 5 p.m. 

You can also watch a replay of the hearing on our YouTube page