Parents of slain teen Roger Trindade receive apologies in court

A teenager accused in the beating death of a Winter Park High student is asking for mercy, to avoid trial and stay out of jail. It was a very emotional day in court.  It was a day of apologies directed at Rodrigo and Adriana Trindade, parents of 15-year-old Roger Trindade.

"I really want to say I'm sorry this happened," said Benjamin Sutherland, the father of Jesse Sutherland told the court.  "No parents should ever have to bury their child. It's a pain I cannot imagine surviving."

Sutherland, and another teenager, Simeon Hall, are charged with manslaughter in Trindade's death.

Hall's attorney said he is ready for trial., but Sutherland's family is still fighting for a plea deal.

"I ask that you have mercy on my grandson," said grandmother Patricia Davidson.  "Give him the opportunity to grow up and be a better man and to stay home with us."

Sutherland's family wants probation rather than jail time, but prosecutors said Sutherland should be sentenced as an adult.

"If he had the courage to do what he did, he should have the courage to pay for what he did," said Adriana Trindade.

Earlier Friday, in juvenile court,  Jagger Gouda, the teenage accused of orchestrating the prank which led to Trindade's beating death also apologized.  Still, it doesn't make it any easier for Roger's mother.

"It's really hard," she said after sobbing as a video of her smiling son was played in court.

While Jesse Sutherland also showed some emotion, she said it's not enough to heal her pain.

"Everyone here says 'sorry,' they read the letter... but they did and this not gonna change."

The judge will review requests from both sides regarding Sutherland's plea deal, so it may or may not go to trial. 

Meanwhile, Gouda, who pleaded no contest to witness tampering, was sent to a commitment program.  He faces one year in a low level facility, but he could end up serving four months for good behavior.