A 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to beating his grandmother to death in Erlanger was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday, with the possibility of parole after serving at least 20 years.

Wyatt Testerman was 18 when he was indicted in the case in October 2024.

According to Erlanger Police, it happened in the 100 block of Ridgewood Drive, near Narrows Drive, on Oct. 8, 2024.

Police said Testerman assaulted 74-year-old Cheri Oliver, resulting in serious injuries to her head. Oliver was treated at the scene by paramedics and transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she died.

In Kenton County court Tuesday, prosecutors asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence allowed by law, while Testerman’s mother and aunt urged the court to show mercy.

His family described a young man they said loved his grandmother and whose life changed after drug use. Testerman, who became emotional during the hearing, apologized to his family and told the court, “I pray every day that she knows how much I love her and how sorry I am for what I did.”

His attorney argued the killing was the result of a drug-induced psychosis.

The judge acknowledged Testerman’s young age and said she believes in redemption. But she said video evidence recorded by Testerman before and during the attack ultimately convinced her that a life sentence was appropriate.

After the hearing, Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders described that recording, saying Testerman propped up a phone, closed the blinds, rearranged furniture in the living room and announced he intended to kill his grandmother before carrying out the attack.

“It’s just a barbaric video, and words don’t adequately describe the suffering and the violence that was inflicted upon Cheri,” Sanders said.

Sanders also said Testerman had previously been hospitalized after an LSD overdose. According to Sanders, doctors recommended behavioral treatment, but Testerman’s mother instead took him home. Sanders said Testerman was staying with his grandmother before the killing.

Earlier this year, Testerman pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder. Under Kentucky law, that allows him to receive mental health treatment while incarcerated before serving the remainder of his sentence in the general prison population.

Testerman was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Under Kentucky law, he will be eligible for parole after serving at least 20 years.