OCALA, FL (352today.com) — The first of three defendants in a 2023 Ocklawaha triple murder case was sentenced Tuesday to 40 years in prison.

Christopher Atkins, 15, who was 12 at the time of his arrest, received the sentence for first-degree murder, with credit for time served. He will serve concurrent sentences for armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and battery. He will be eligible for sentence review after 25 years.

Atkins’ murder charge stems from the killing of Camille Quaroles, who was shot in the trunk of a car later found submerged in a pond. Two other teens, Layla Silvernail and Michael Hodo Jr., were also killed.

Atkins previously agreed to testify against co-defendants Tahj Brewton and Robert Robinson, who are scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. All three entered open plea deals and face up to life in prison, with a minimum of 40 years.

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