Tahsean Eaves is going to prison for at least 25 years. A jury convicted him of robbing and murdering Shalonda Simpson as she was walking home alone three years ago.

Judge John DeMarco told Eaves, “You've taken not only a life, but you've taken something from every woman who decides to walk the streets alone at night." Simpson’s friends were in court to hear that today.

It was music that was central to Shalonda Simpson's life. She was the bass player in an all-girl rock band -- the Cheetah Whores. She was walking home from band practice the night she was killed. Today, music is how her friends remember her.

Today her friend Suzie Willpower gave a song she wrote an unusual dedication. “That song was for Shalonda and her murderer.” That's right -- she's singing it for her friend and her friend's killer – a man Willpower faced in court today.

“I said Tahsean, I forgive you for what you've done. I’m very happy that I was able to say the forgiving things I had to say to that person,” Willpower said, “Just to see if there was any remorse and I didn't see anything.”

Eaves killed Simpson in August 2007. Police say Eaves held Simpson up, stole her purse, shot her once in the chest and then drove away on his bicycle. 

Friend Gerell Edmonson said, “We have to live with his decision for the rest of our lives. I miss my friend. I miss my sister.”

Willpower says this song is about being lost, running in circles. It's the way she feels about the life of Tahsean Eaves. It's the way she feels about the loss of her friend Shalonda. “I'm a real spiritual person so for me Shalonda is always in my life, she's always talking to me. For other people they're lonely and that's got to be sad.”

Willpower may have hope for Eaves but law enforcement does not.
 
Judge DeMarco read from the presentence report which described Eaves as disturbed, without remorse, eager to kill and incapable of rehabilitation. DeMarco called him a community’s worst nightmare.

Breakdown of Eaves’ sentences:
- Second-degree murder – 25 years to life
- First-degree manslaughter  -- 25 years to life
- Attempted robbery – 15 years
- Criminal possession of a weapon – 15 years

Guilty Verdict in Murder Case near School

Posted at: 07/28/2010 10:50 PM | Updated at: 07/29/2010 3:08 AM

The verdict is in. A Rochester man accused of shooting and killing Shalonda Simpson near an elementary school is guilty of murder. News 10NBC was the only media in court for the verdict.

Around 10:30 Wednesday night, a jury found Tahsean Eaves, 20 guilty of first-degree Manslaughter, second-degree Murder, Attempted Robbery, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He was found not guilty of another second-degree Murder charge and two other counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. It took the jury nearly 10 hours of deliberating.

The victim's father Jesse Simpson says this is justice for his daughter. Friends who were in court for 13+ hours say they're happy it's all over.

Eaves shot and killed Simpson on August 23, 2007 outside School No. 29 on Kirkland Road. The 25-year-old singer was walking home from band practice. Video obtained by News 10NBC from the school surveillance camera shows Eaves rode up to Simpson on a bicycle. He forced her down to her knees and made her empty her purse. He then shot Simpson.

Friends say he didn't even take anything. They still struggle not knowing why Eaves killed Simpson.