2 teens get life for killing homeless men

PONTIAC, Mich., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Two shackled 15-year-olds cried as they were sentenced to life in prison for beating to death two Michigan homeless men during a gang assault on strangers.

Thomas McCloud and Dontez Tillman of Pontiac, Mich., told visiting Oakland County Circuit Judge Steven Andrews they were sorry for killing Wilford Hamilton, 61, and Lee Hoffman, 65, in August 2008.

"Mr. McCloud ... you killed two men who did you no wrong," Andrews said.

To Tillman, Andrews said: "You and your co-defendant literally kicked a man to death. ... This is a sad day for the criminal justice system."

As Tillman's mother ran sobbing from the courtroom, the judge shouted: "Stop that crying! Are you feeling sorry for yourself or for him?"

The homeless men were found beaten to death on Pontiac streets during the three-day "wilding" spree. Police say they believe several other teens were involved -- they charged a third teen, Darrin Higgins Jr., also of Pontiac, in the crime, the Detroit Free Press reported.

McCloud and Tillman were convicted of first-degree murder in October after being tried as adults.

They had been offered a plea deal that would have let them get parole in 15 years. But the boys' mothers refused the offers, despite pleas from their sons' defense attorneys to accept them.