GASTONIA, N.C.,None — Christian Bates' lawyers said the 21-year-old is sorry for killing her boyfriend.
Bates cried and took a breath when the judge asked, "Are you in fact guilty of that offense?"
Bates responded, "Yes, sir."
She was charged with first-degree murder for stabbing LeBrandon Lee in the heart when he tried to break up with her last October, police said.
On Tuesday, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed with the prosecutor's version of what happened.
The assistant district attorney told the judge after the stabbing Lee staggered onto the front lawn of their home on West Sixth Avenue in Gastonia.
Prosecutor Stephanie Hamlin said Bates saw someone coming to his aid and yelled, "Don't go help him. Get my purse."
Defense attorney Daniel Roberts said, "She had a tough life."
Bates' attorney said she told them that other men had beaten her in the past and she overreacted when Lee tried to leave her.
"You can imagine her having to live with the fact that you killed the person you love," Roberts said.
The judge sentenced Bates to 14 years in prison.
Lee's father told Channel 9 that he forgives Bates. "I have, but it's hard to live with every day," said Eugene Lee.