It's been close to 7 years since a man was convicted of murder -- in a 1988 Mishawaka cold case.
"Oh, she was a wonderful person. Little Theresa," said Anthony Pennington, Theresa Burns’ Stepdad
34 years after the murder of Theresa Burns, her convicted killer is trying to get a lighter sentence.
In January 1988, 16-year-old Theresa was shot in the face and head 6 times at her home. Theresa had permission to leave Mishawaka High School that morning to go home and change.
Her stepdad says it's been difficult not being able to see her grow up.
"She was just an agreeable, beautiful young lady. She like to learn, she was It was just a loss. And I told her mother when she died, I said well, if we could find anything good out of this, if anybody is in heaven, it has to be Theresa, you know?" said Pennington.
Evidence showed the gun that killed Theresa was a .22 caliber revolver. At the 2015 trial a witness named James Lewis -- and an alleged friend of Geans -- claimed Geans stole the gun. Geans' mother also found the gun in their home a month after the murder and turned it in to police. But Geans is saying his attorneys didn't look into all evidence necessary to prove him innocent.
"The doctor had found me mentally disabled. She was able to vouch that if I was on the right medication, I'd be able to stand trial," said Geans.
But one of his former defense attorneys said she did all she could during his trial and appeal.
"I was not happy with Judge Frese during the trial. That's putting it mildly," said Merielena Duerring, Geans' Former Defense Attorney.
Pennington is hoping for a confession from Geans, so he and Theresa's family can finally get closure.
"I am hopeful that maybe when he finds out he’s not going to be able to beat this thing that he will come clean, fess up, and let’s find out what really happened," said Pennington.
Geans has maintained his innocence... although Theresa's family was hoping for a confession today.
"I would like to see this finally closed. All day today when I looked closely at Mr. Geans talk, I kept thinking, 'Man, I wish he would just fess up. Tell me what really happened,' you know what I mean?" said Pennington.
We're expected to hear from Geans' other defense attorney next week. And Theresa's family tells WSBT they're speaking with attorneys because they believe other people might have been involved in her murder.