BERRIEN COUNTY — In 1989, 15-year-old Efran Paredes was convicted of armed robbery and first degree murder for the shooting death of grocery store manager Rick Tetzlaff.

Tetzlaff died from gunshot wounds to the back of his head, his heart, lung, and arm.

A family friend recalls hearing about the murder on the radio. She said, "it felt like getting punched in the stomach." She remembers pulling over to the side of the road after hearing her friend tell a radio host he found his son's body in the store.

Paredes was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Nearly 20 years later, Paredes — now 34, still maintains his innocence. He's had appellate hearings for the last two decades and his website continues to shed light on his case and hopes for support to commute his sentence.

"It was such a terrible situation for them to endure," said the Tetzlaff's family friend.

She said the family continues to grieve over their loss.

Paredes' case will now shift from a court of law to the Michigan Parole Board, which will look at possibly commuting his sentence.

Former attorney, and Paredes' friend Stuart Friedman said, "If I ever saw a case for a second chance, it was Efran."

Friedman believes Paredes — who writes essays, translates braille, and has not been in any trouble since his incarceration — has paid his debt to society.

"Innocent or guilty, he was 15 when the offense was committed," Friedman said.

Friedman questions other elements of the case including witness testimony.

Prosecutors and the family tell a different story.

Both parties declined to comment on camera to WSBT News, but in a news release from the Berrien County Prosecutor's Office, they said they oppose the commutation of Paredes' sentence and recommend that this request be denied by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

"It was very frustrating to hear this on the news last night," Tetzlaff's family friend said. "To know that they are going through, it isn't fair, this man needs to stay in jail for the rest of his life."

Paredes' hearing in front of the board has not been set.

The Parole Board will be accepting public comment on the case. For more information, click on the link in the Related Content box.