Kendrick Morris, convicted as a teen in a 2008 assault that left a young woman permanently disabled, has been re-sentenced to life without parole in Florida—despite efforts to seek a reduced sentence under updated juvenile justice laws.

Morris was 16 when he attacked Queena Phu outside a Valrico library, leaving her with severe, lifelong injuries. Originally sentenced to 65 years, Morris appealed for a lighter term, citing a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that says juvenile sentences must allow for parole unless the offender is deemed beyond rehabilitation.

His lawyers argued he had matured and changed behind bars, but Judge Chet Tharpe disagreed—calling the crime “especially brutal” and upholding the life sentence. Morris also had a prior 2007 assault conviction that factored into the decision.

The victim’s sister, Anna Donato, called the resentencing “bittersweet.” “This isn’t a win,” she said. “It’s a painful reminder of lives forever changed.”

Though Morris may seek another review in 2031, his future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Queena Phu continues to inspire through her resilience, as her family now advocates for victims’ rights in her name.

The case underscores a harsh truth: sentence reviews offer hope, but not always mercy—especially when the damage done is irreversible.