UPPER MARLBORO – The man accused of murdering 22-year-old university student Justin DeSha-Overcash was sentenced to 49 years in prison yesterday for first-degree murder and will be eligible for parole after 25 years.

Judge Cathy Serrette of the Prince George’s County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro also sentenced Deandre Ricardo Williams, 24, to a concurrent 20 years for the use of a handgun in a violent crime, which he will serve at the same time as his murder sentence.

“The heinous nature of this crime is apparent,” Serrette said in court yesterday. “It was not the gun that killed Justin; it was the pulling of the trigger that killed Justin.”

Williams allegedly entered DeSha-Overcash’s off-campus 38th Avenue home Jan. 11, 2011, and shot the senior astronomy and physics major twice in the abdomen. After being taken to the hospital, DeSha-Overcash was pronounced dead later that day.

Williams will have 30 days to appeal his sentence, of which he has already served 390 days. Williams declined to comment in court yesterday in case he and his attorneys ultimately decide to appeal.

On Feb. 10, Williams pled “not guilty to a statement of facts,” meaning he and the state agreed to the evidence for first-degree murder and handgun charges, but he did not admit guilt. Williams did not go through a trial and instead went directly to sentencing.

Wesley Adams, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Homicide Chief, asked Serrette for Williams to serve the maximum 60 years, while Williams’ attorney – William Brennan – asked for the minimum 30-year sentence.

During yesterday’s three-hour long sentencing, several members of DeSha-Overcash’s family and friends read victim impact statements before Serrette, Williams and a packed court room. DeSha-Overcash’s mother, Karen DeSha, his father Randy Overcash and best friend and university alumnus Jesse Wimert were among those to speak about the impact of DeSha-Overcash’s death.

Each statement will be entered into Williams’ file and will be seen every time he is up for parole.

“I used to be truly one of the happiest women on this planet,” DeSha said, “until Jan. 11, 2011, when the sheriff knocked on my door to tell me my son was dead.”

Both of DeSha-Overcash’s parents detailed their struggles to move on.

“For the first time in 56 years, I do not care whether I live or die,” his mother said.

Overcash followed with, “You don’t know whether you’re going to get up the next day, but does it even matter? I don’t know what life is anymore.”

Before DeSha-Overcash’s death, Williams was arrested and charged with a handgun violation, but was not sentenced. He allegedly shot and killed DeSha-Overcash 21 days later.

The D.C. Superior Court immediately recharged Williams for the violation after his court appearance yesterday, which he may have to serve additional time for after his 49-year sentence.

In an interview with The Diamondback last week, DeSha, who strongly pushed for Williams to be recharged on his previous handgun violation, said she was not sure if she could ever forgive Williams. Yesterday, however, with shaking arms and silent sobs, she did.

“I forgive Mr. Williams and I hope he can change someday,” she said at the end of her statement. “I pray that Mr. Williams seeks and finds the Lord. I will always remain Justin’s mama.”

In addition to her victim’s impact statement, DeSha, who drove more than eight hours from her Asheville, N.C., home for the sentencing, also showed Serrette a homemade binder she made for her son – a stack of pictures chronicling his 22 years.

DeSha-Overcash would have turned 24 years old May 1.

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The first time DeSha came face-to-face with Williams on Dec. 14, she was screaming and hyperventilating, she said, and had to be taken out of the court room. Yesterday, she remained composed as Williams entered in handcuffs and a prison suit.

University Police Chief David Mitchell and Capt. Ken Calvert, a university police officer, both came to support DeSha-Overcash’s family yesterday.

“I told his father that [DeSha-Overcash] may have been his son, but he was also one of my students,” Mitchell said. “He was a fine young man who didn’t deserve this. We’re here today to show that the university is behind Justin’s family, and that he will always be a member of the university community.”

Although DeSha is in the midst of a lawsuit with the Prince George’s County Police Department – she is suing the department for libel and slander for casting her son in a false light, her attorney Cary Hansel said last month – University Police’s support for the grieving family has not caused tension between the two departments, officials said.

“A student was murdered and he’s still a member of our community,” University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said. “The chief wants to extend every effort for support, and our support hasn’t created any riff between us and the county. Whatever is between them is between them. We just want to be there for a member of the Maryland community.”

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Williams was not the only one accused of involvement with DeSha-Overcash’s murder. Stephan Weaver, Williams’ accomplice and getaway driver, was sentenced to 15 years in prison March 9. The 23-year-old was sentenced for charges of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and the illegal use of a handgun.

DeSha forgave Weaver because he showed remorse, which Williams did not, she said.

“[Weaver] immediately told the truth and took on the responsibility of the consequences,” she said. “But Mr. Williams says he is not guilty and doesn’t understand what he’s doing there.”

DeSha has forgiven them both because, she said, that’s what her son would have wanted.

“I would rather live with the memories of the love of Justin than with hatred for Mr. Williams.”

egan@umdbk.com