Golden – Michael Fitzgerald will be 64 years old before he’s eligible for parole on a 62-year prison sentence for his father’s death in 2004.
“This is the most tragic of cases where the defendant is the son and the victim is the father,” said Jefferson County District Judge Jane Tidball.
Steven Fitzgerald, 41, bled to death in his Westminster garage after he was hit on the head with a posthole digger and stabbed several times.
Also charged is Michael Tate, 18, who prosecutors say wielded the knife. Michael Fitzgerald, 20, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder and second-degree burglary as part of a plea agreement.
Tate’s trial is set for Aug. 20.
The two boys broke into the Fitzgerald home to steal a car, documents said. Steven Fitzgerald apparently surprised them.
“I love you guys with all my heart,” Michael Fitzgerald told his mother, Kris, and sister, Jessica, after saying several times how “truly sorry” he was.
His family asked for a life sentence. “Even an eternity truly wouldn’t be enough time,” Kris Fitzgerald said.
“All he ever did was love him and hoped he would turn around,” Jessica said. “You caused all this pain to all these people.”
