On Aug. 29, Deonte Winston, 35, and his girlfriend Katoya Brown, 37, were each sentenced to serve 60 years in prison for first-degree murder in McClenny's death. The couple from Crewe was also convicted of felony child neglect.

"It gives me closure. I'm glad justice was served," Brown said.

The incident occurred on Sept. 2, 2023, what should have been a night of celebration. Brown had hoped to remember that date as the day McClenny met her family for the first time while celebrating his 30th birthday and her parents' 25th wedding anniversary.

"He was 6'4" so people looked at his size as intimidating, but he was definitely a gentle giant," Brown said. "Very sweet smile, I mean, his smile was bright."

But the celebration turned tragic just hours later as Brown and McClenny took a walk ne

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