CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte family is upset a suspect connected to the death of their loved one is only getting probation and community service for his crime.
On Thursday, Jeremiah Wingo pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice in the death of 20-year-old Joshua Hollingsworth.
For Hollingsworth's family, the grief still weighs heavily.
They told WCNC Charlotte's Lexi Wilson not a day goes by they don't miss Hollingsworth. They were hopeful the suspect would spend some time in jail but were disappointed that wasn't the case.
The family gave an emotional plea, urging parents to keep their kids close.
“Just love on them, check on them, try to keep them in the right direction,” his aunt Birdette Paschal said.
Hollingsworth's family spoke directly to Wingo on Thursday in court after he was sentenced to probation and community service.
“I feel failed by the justice system, also, I just feel that my nephew’s life ... he could possibly still be here,” Paschall said.
Hollingsworth was shot and killed back in June 2021 on Mayfield Terrace Drive near Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte.
Shortly after the crime, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested Wing, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, and another 24-year-old.
“There should have been a lesson learned from his part in the incidents that surrounded the death of our grandson,” Hollingsworth's grandmother Birdie Owens said.
“It doesn’t feel fair at all," Paschall said.
Moving forward, the family said they will remember Hollingsworth for the kind young man he was.
“He was the jewel, the heartbeat, the comedian of the family," Paschall said. "He was an excellent football player. They actually retired his jersey at West Charlotte when he passed away."
The family is hopeful the suspect learned his lesson, and it doesn't happen again.