St. Paul Man Gets 48 Years For Killing Girlfriend

ST. PAUL (AP) -- A St. Paul man has been sentenced to 48 years in prison for fatally shooting his girlfriend while she sat in the back of an SUV with their infant son.

19-year-old Timothy Hendricks pleaded guilty to killing 20-year-old girlfriend Michelle Ploetz and trying to kill her father on April 16th.

Hendricks apologized in court Friday, adding he was too high on drugs to remember what happened but agreed he was guilty.

Michelle Ploetz's mother Dianne Kocoerek Ploetz tearfully read a statement about the loss of her and her husband's only child.

She said her daughter was small in stature but gave enormous hugs.

She described her as an excellent mother to her baby who looked forward to completing her college degree.