In a heartbreaking turn of events, a Northern Kentucky teenager's involvement in an attempted car theft has led to the tragic death of a University of Cincinnati student, Benjamin Addison. The aftermath of this devastating incident has left a family grappling with unimaginable grief and a community seeking answers and justice.

Unraveling the Tragedy: A Family's Unwavering Pursuit of Justice

The Fateful Night that Changed Everything

On a fateful night in March, Benjamin Addison, a 21-year-old UC student, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. As he attempted to stop two individuals from stealing his car on Highland Avenue in Mount Auburn, a violent confrontation ensued, leading to Addison's untimely death. "We woke up to a nightmare," Addison's mother, Yeshi Leggesse, recounted, her voice trembling with the weight of unimaginable grief. "Unbelievable horror and a pain that never goes away."

The Teenage Perpetrator and the Accomplice

The investigation into the incident revealed the involvement of a 17-year-old Northern Kentucky teenager, who admitted to the charge of attempted grand theft after breaking into Addison's car. However, the teenager's actions were not the sole contributor to the tragedy. Another teenager, Justin Dugan, is charged with the actual killing of Benjamin Addison, after the UC student spotted the two breaking into his vehicle. "He was distracting my son so that his friend could pop out with a gun and, right over top of the car, shoot from 3 feet away, right through my son's heart," Addison's father, Joe Addison, recounted with anguish.

The Courtroom Proceedings and the Verdict

As the case unfolded in the courtroom, the 17-year-old perpetrator sat emotionless as Judge Kari Bloom announced her decision. The teenager was sentenced to four years of probation, a punishment that Addison's parents deemed the "maximum that she possibly could" give. "It won't change anything for us," Leggesse said, her voice tinged with resignation. "It's just one chapter that we just have to get over with. It's not going to bring Benjamin back. But we're glad at least he's getting punished for something found guilty."

The Lingering Pain and the Pursuit of Justice

Despite the verdict, the Addison family's journey is far from over. They now prepare for the murder trial of their son's alleged killer, Justin Dugan. The unimaginable pain they have endured still lingers, but there is a glimmer of hope. "I know he's in a better place right now," Leggesse said, her words a testament to the family's resilience and their determination to find solace in the midst of this tragedy.