A Chattanooga man previously convicted of the 2018 shooting death of his son was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Thursday by a Hamilton County Criminal Court judge.
Billy Forte, who was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder March 18, appeared before Judge Barry Steelman to hear his sentence.
Forte admitted to police and again at trial to shooting his son, Charles Forte, after the two argued. The elder Forte believed his son was embezzling money from the family business, Eaves Formal Wear.
Steelman addressed the defendant’s attitude about the shooting during Thursday’s hearing.
“It was a violent act, it was a knowing act,” Steelman said. “This court’s observation, while he said he was sorry, he did not exude remorse. Sometimes, this court has seen that people would want to take it back, but based on what it’s seen from Mr. Forte, I don’t think he would.”