Still, she said she forgave Haddle and urged him to seek help for his mental health problems. She said she awaits the day she receives a letter from Haddle seeking forgiveness.

“My belief is that love conquers all,” she said. “I hope you love yourself enough to help yourself.”

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nadia Chivers read a letter from Badten’s girlfriend, Cindy Divine Gill, that detailed how the shooting took away the person she wanted to grow old with.

Divine Gill also wrote that she hasn’t seen Haddle express any remorse while the case was pending.

Vasquez appeared hesitant to accept the terms of the plea agreement, which outlined how much time Haddle would spend in prison. He cited a letter a witness wrote to the court that alleged Haddle made a statement the day of the shooting that he planned to hurt more people.

Vasquez read documents from Lake County Jail where Haddle told a medical worker, “I still blame the victim. I know that makes me sound like a psychopath, but I do.”

Defense attorney Angela Jones argued the plea agreement was appropriate, because her client did not have any previous convictions.