(SBT24/7News) A judge sentenced a 29-year-old man Tuesday to 48 years in prison for the 2005 beating death of 15-month-old DeNeja Coleman.

Judge Jerome Frese heard testimony from DeNeja’s mother as well as from a representative of the family of the defendant, Kwasi Barnes of South Bend, before announcing his decision.

St. Joseph County prosecutor Ken Cotter asked the judge for the maximum 50-year sentence, citing several aggravating factors, including the age of the victim and the brutal nature of the killing. DeNeja suffered several skull fractures as a result of more than one blow to the head, according to testimony from one expert.

Barnes’ attorney, Mike Tuszynski, asked for the minimum sentence of 20 years, plus 15 years of probation.

Frese’s said his ruling differed from the maximum sentence only symbolically because a maximum term is reserved for the worst of the worst cases. Frese said there appeared to be no premeditation in the killing, which was apparently caused by a sudden “explosion of rage.”