On Friday, April 12, 2002 District Judge Bonnie Jackson sentenced a former Southern University student to life in prison after he was convicted of murder for killing another student.
Derrick Claville, 21, was convicted November 9, 2001 of drug possession and second- degree murder of Robert Stillman Jr., a 23-year-old education major.
A conviction of second-degree murder carries a sentence of mandatory life in prison.
Claville allegedly shot Stillman in the back outside of his dormitory room in Reed Hall on October 7, 1999 after the homecoming concert.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom as Stillman’s sister, Maria, read a statement on behalf of the family during the sentencing.
“We will never again have the chance to celebrate birthdays and holidays with him,” said Maria Stillman. “All we can do is leave flowers at a gravesite and remember him through pictures.”
Her parents Robert and Bettye Stillman were also present.
Bettye Stillman wept as her daughter told Claville “his family will be able to hug and kiss him during prison visiting days.”
After Maria Stillman spoke, Claville got the opportunity to speak to the court.
“Hopefully real soon the real killer will be revealed,” said Claville. “But I swear that y’all have the wrong guy.”
Outside the courtroom, Claville’s parents laughed and walked away declining to be interviewed.
