A convicted murderer was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in the January 2025 killing of Stephanie Wenneberg in Garland.

Robert Ray Kelley pleaded guilty in a Dallas County courtroom to murder and aggravated assault in exchange for a 30-year prison sentence with the possibility of parole.

Wenneberg was shot at a Garland apartment complex while trying to protect her friend from Kelley, the friend’s ex. Kelley led police on a months-long manhunt before he was caught.

In court, Wenneberg’s mother, Nancy Savattere, slowly stepped forward, resigned to the plea bargain but able to face her daughter’s killer.

Savattere described the daily pain of losing her daughter.

“I start every day thinking I must face the world without my daughter,” said Nancy Savattere.

She told Kelley that his actions have left her family forever changed.

“Mr. Kelly will never understand that his reckless behavior has resulted in my family being without my daughter, Stephanie, which will be for eternity,” said Nancy Savattere.

Savattere said Wenneberg’s three sons are struggling to live without their mother.

Wenneberg’s friend, who asked that her face not be shown and was reportedly nearly shot herself, also addressed Kelley in court.

“I hate you so much, you ruined our lives, you took her life for no reason,” Stephanie’s friend said.

The friend could barely contain her anger as she described Wenneberg’s final moments.

“I hope that you spend your life in jail and you never come out, and I never see you again. You ruined my kids’ lives. She died in my house in my daughter’s arms. It’s so unfair,” said the friend.

Judge Andy Chatham accepted Kelly’s guilty plea. The District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the plea deal.

As Kelly was taken away, Savattere said she would continue pushing for accountability.

Savattere said she hopes the loss of her daughter helps others understand how their actions can affect entire families.

“That maybe people will change their ways on reacting the way they are,” said Nancy Savattere, “People learn about their actions that can affect the whole family.”

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.