The new sentencing guidelines didn’t apply retroactively, leading to the boy’s conviction under the former state laws, resulting in a 16-year prison sentence.

The teenager, whose identity is protected by law, filed an appeal arguing that his sentence was excessively harsh for an unplanned murder and that the judge had erred in the sentencing process.

“This case involves a single stab wound with brief consideration,” the defense argued.

Nonetheless, the court chose to reject the appeal, dismissing the presented arguments.

In March, an advocate commented outside the courthouse, stating that the boy’s appeal was an affront to White’s grieving family and predicted public outrage if the original sentence was not maintained.

“This was the necessary precedent to establish,” remarked Lyndy Atkinson, an ambassador for Victims 1st.

The teen pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced in November 2025.

He is likely to be released from custody in late 2033, about the time of his 26th birthday, after 60 per cent of his sentence is completed with time already served.

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