DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- There were more apologies Wednesday from another young man accused of beating a homeless man to death in Holly Hill. Justin Stearns is one of four defendants who pleaded guilty to the murder.

Stearns took the stand Wednesday to try to sway the judge for a lighter sentence. He said, if he had it all to do over again, he wouldn't.

There were no tears on the stand, but a lot of remorse.

"For that, I am truly sorry," Stearns said.

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He is accused, along with three others, in the fatal beating Michael Roberts last May. Roberts was homeless and defenseless. The young men have admitted they used fists, feet, sticks and rocks. Roberts died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The boys, aged 14 to 18 at the time, said they were high and they did it just for kicks.

"I don't know how it happened or why it happened, it just did," Stearns said.

A psychologist testified that Stearns has an abnormally low IQ and that he may not have realized he was doing at the time. That argument didn't hold up in cross examination. When the prosecution asked if he knew then that what he did was awful, he replied, "Yes."

Stearn's stepfather testified that his son's actions were out of character and, despite the brutality of the crime, he believes his son has hope.

"Justin is a good kid. He's had his problems," John Valeria said.

It will be up to the judge to decide if Stearn's life is worth saving. He could be sent away for life without parole.

Stearns said he now realizes the pain he caused to the entire Roberts family.

"I'm always going to be praying for y'all, no matter what," he said.

Christopher Scamahorn will testify Thursday. Stearns and another co-defendant said he was the ringleader and that he did most of the beating. He will most likely say otherwise.

There is a lot of blame being pushed around the courthouse. The judge will sort it out and make his final ruling on Friday.