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Orlando man convicted of killing lover during robbery as a teen sentenced to 30 years

ORLANDO, Fla. — A teenager who pleaded guilty to killing an Orlando food pantry worker in 2015 will spend the next three decades in prison.

An Orange County judge sentenced Zachary Berry on Monday in front of a room full of his family and the family of his victim, 46-year-old Ken Kepple.

State prosecutors said a sexual relationship between the two turned deadly during a robbery.

Thirty-five years was the maximum sentence for Berry's plea deal.

The defense asked for 15 years, but the judge decided 30 years was appropriate.

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As Berry was escorted out of the room he looked over at his family and said, “I love you,” through his tears.

Berry had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

The prosecution told the judge Berry was robbing Kepple’s apartment, when Kepple walked in the middle of it.

That’s when the state said Berry stabbed and strangled Kepple, and left him on the kitchen floor.

The defense said the murder was done in self-defense.

Berry's attorney said the Berry was a victim of sexual abuse.

A psychologist testifying for the defense said because Berry was 17 years old at the time, they he and Kepple’s sexual relationship was unbalanced - and illegal.

Berry and Kepple worked together at the Community Food Pantry in Orlando where Berry was doing community service hours for probation.

A few people ran out of the courtroom when prosecutors played audio of a graphic sexual recording made by Berry and Kepple.

The state said the details of its case prove Berry is a brutal cold-blooded murderer.

Berry's sentence will be reviewed after 25 years.