The man who murdered a Duke graduate student and seriously injured her roommate will spend more than three decades in prison. A judge accepted a plea deal on Monday, which gives Stephon Dubose a minimum of 35 years in prison. He will get credit for the roughly two-and-a-half years he has already served. 

WRAL reported last month that Dubose had taken a plea deal in the 2023 killing. Monday's hearing was when the judge accepted the deal.

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In court, a prosecutor explained that Dubose and Angela Risi were dating and had gotten in an argument. Dubose broke the glass on the front door of Risi's home, shot her eight times, and shot Risi's roommate, Anna Semmes, three times. Semmes survived though remains permanently injured, walking with a cane.

The Risi family flew in from California for the hearing. Father Matt Risi addressed the court.

"Today, February 23rd, is our daughter Angela's birthday," he said. "She would've been 33 years old."

Risi said, since her death, the family has "lived every day since then in deep sadness."

Risi was pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree at Duke University. Her father said she was intelligent, loved to dance, and had a heart for others. 

"In her heart she was just a wonderful soul who cared deeply for disadvantaged people," he told WRAL. "She was a very loving person."

Stephon Dubose addressed the court as well, apologizing for his actions and accepting full responsibility for them. 

"I want to start by apologizing to the victims and the victim's family for all the pain and suffering I caused y'all," he said. "Y'all really didn't deserve that...I understand that y'all don't want to forgive me. I wouldn't either if I were in your shoes. But I do pray for y'all in constant."

Dubose said he was on drugs at the time of the crime and hopes others will learn from his mistakes that violence and drugs are not the answer.

"I took accountability before I even had legal counsel because I knew I was wrong. I will stand on that," he said. "I'm not running away from it."

He vowed to use time in prison to better himself.

"While I rehabilitate and reform, I'm going to try to be a better person," he said. "Be a blessing to others."

Risi's family said they accept the plea deal and will continue to keep Angela's memory alive.