LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man who police said killed his mother offered a tearful apology for his actions in court Thursday before a judge sentenced him.
Clifton Hall, 32, was arrested earlier this year in Longandale. He requested leniency from Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones. She sentenced him to 10 to 25 years in prison.
“I have a hard time forgiving myself. I lost the most important thing to me in the world, and it was all because I was an idiot,” Hall said. “There hasn’t been a day since this happened that I haven’t regretted it.”
Hall was remorseful in front of Judge Jones. He took an Alford plea back in October pleading guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder, according to court records. That means he does not admit guilt, but agrees prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him.
“She was always super forgiving whenever I did something stupid, or just not being as grateful as I should’ve been. She always forgave me, she always brought me in and I feel like screwed both of those up a lot,” Hall said.
According to police, Hall set his home ablaze with his mother inside on Jan. 8 at 1:45 a.m. Video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained captured the trailer home engulfed and Hall is heard telling someone not to rat him out.
“Just don’t tell them I did it on purpose. Don’t tell them I did it on purpose,” Hall said.
In cell phone video from a neighbor collected as part of evidence, Hall is heard banging on that person’s door and admitting to igniting the fire.
“Hey, you may want to let your mom know the house is on fire,” Hall said.
Hall also texted them a photo of him lighting a mattress.
“He’s going to carry this weight that he caused this tremendous loss to himself to the rest of his family,” his attorney David Lopez-Negrete said.
Hall will also have to pay more than $4,000 in restitution and fines.
