Carson Mother Speaks Out Amid Release Of Daughter's Convicted Killer

CARSON (CBSLA.com) — After eight years in custody, a man convicted of killing a 19-year-old woman is a free man.

Doheen Pratt, now 22, was just 13 years old when he was convicted as a minor of murdering Nicole Williamson.

Nicole was fatally shot the day after Thanksgiving in 2003. The young woman was seated in a car in front of her home when Pratt pulled up, and shot her. Williamson died in her father's arms.

"He had to give her CPR and she literally died in his arms. He shot her in the forehead," said Teresa Williamson, the victim's mother.

Sheriff's detectives said Pratt was trying to find someone to kill to impress a local gang.

This week, Pratt was released after serving eight of his ten-year sentence at a California youth authority facility.

"No. I definitely don't feel like we got any justice. No," Williamson, said. "After him being in there for eight years, I don't see where he understands the seriousness of the crime. He hasn't taken responsibility for it. He hasn't apologized. His apology was that he's sorry. He was in a gang."

On Tuesday, Pratt's mother, Kecia, released the following statement:

"Our hearts go out to the Williamson family for their loss. We continue to maintain that Doheen is innocent of the crime, that he was set up by gang members. We just want to get on with our lives."