Just hours after a Supreme Court judge sentenced convicted murderer Michael Simmons to life in prison, the victim's father went to his daughter's grave and prayed.

Veteran broadcaster, Steve McKinney, who had shed tears just moments after the judge handed down the ruling, visited Trevonne's grave along with his wife.

The distraught couple later went home and spent time with their shattered family. Trevonne was stabbed to death during a domestic dispute at Simmon's grandmother's home early last year.

She was buried five days later.

McKinney said although he is satisfied with yesterday's verdict, it will be a long time before his family truly recovers.

"This part is behind us, but we'll never forget it and have real closure, even though a chapter closed today," he said.

"We could never forget our daughter, Trevonne, a beautiful girl. But we feel good that justice was swift in this particular case. This case came up quickly after the incident. It gives me faith that the system does and can work."

McKinney said his family is "especially grateful for the courage, humility and honesty that Simmon's grandmother, Gwendolyn Brown, exhibited on the stand."

McKinney said her courage restored his faith that human decency still exists.

"The courage that was shown by the grandmother, in spite of her kinship and the love that she obviously had for Michael is commendable. She stood up and she told the truth and she never wavered from it and that alone is proof that God's people are still dwelling among us," he said.

"That did something to me, because I asked myself how many of us as human beings would have been so courageous. That in my mind was the defining moment and that says a lot that there is so much still to be thankful for."

McKinney says he's glad he never stopped believing that justice would be served.

"In spite of the circumstances we face that God is ever faithful, He's a God of righteousness and a God of justice and I saw that today in court," he said.

"While we all have our views about what is justice, I'm also thankful and humbled by the measure of justice handed down today. The death penalty wasn't something in my mind or my family's mind. We just wanted justice and we would have accepted whatever the ruling was."

McKinney said he was disappointed that Simmons showed no remorse for killing their daughter.

"He still doesn't seem like he is ready to face what has happened. Our prayer is that he does face it. While our daughter is not here to have another chance at life he has a chance at life, and so that shows how good God is. He can still find himself and make his peace with God," he said.

"This whole thing has taught us that life is fleeting."

McKinney says he and his wife will now focus on raising their granddaughter, Nala.

"I am thankful and determined now to pick up the pieces of my life and raise my granddaughter, Nala, who is a blessing to us from God as best as I know how," he said.

"I'm happy now that at least at this juncture my daughter's soul can rest in peace."

By ROGAN M. SMITH