GOLDEN, Colo. — A Jefferson County judge sentenced one of the three men who threw rocks at passing cars two years ago in a spree of random attacks that killed 20-year-old Alexa Bartell to 45 years in prison Thursday.

District Judge Christopher Zenisek sentenced Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik to 45 years in prison on the conviction of second-degree murder and 24 years on an attempted first-degree murder conviction, to be served concurrently.

The 20-year-old could have faced between 35 and 72 years in prison.

Karol-Chik and two other men were 18 when they threw rocks at several cars on the night of April 19, 2023. They ultimately killed Bartell when one of the teens threw a 9.3-pound rock through her windshield as she drove on Indiana Street near the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The rock struck Bartell in the head.

“The reality of the situation is nothing I can or will say will turn back time,” Karol-Chik said in court Thursday. “Nothing I can say will erase the pain, hurt and fear that I have caused. Nothing will repair the harm that was done, and nothing I say will bring back Alexa Bartell. Regardless, the most important thing I can say today is how truly sorry I am.”

Karol-Chik pleaded guilty almost a year ago in Bartell’s death. His sentencing was delayed so that he could testify during the jury trial for Joseph Koenig, 20, another participant who was convicted of first-degree murder on Friday and will be sentenced in June.

The third man who participated in the rock-throwing spree, Zachary Kwak, 20, pleaded guilty to assault and attempted assault and will be sentenced Friday. He faces between 20 and 32 years in prison.

Bartell’s family on Thursday remembered her as kind, compassionate, smart and excited to live life, with big dreams for her future. She kept a clean car, could sing any song after hearing it once and basked in the warm sun, on beaches with palm trees.

“The brutal reality is that I will never again hold my daughter in my arms, hear her laugh or watch her experience the life she should have had: turning 21, falling in love, getting married, becoming a mother. It haunts me every single day,” said Kelly Bartell, Alexa’s mother.

Karol-Chik said in court that he let his desire to fit in and win approval from friends override his better judgment during the rock-throwing spree.

“The hardest part to understand is why it took someone losing their life for me to really think about the consequences,” he said. “…That is the actions of who I was. But not the actions of who I am. And not the actions of who I want to be.”

Bartell’s family called for Karol-Chik to be sentenced to the maximum possible sentence of 72 years. They spoke about recurring nightmares, panic attacks on dark two-lane roads, family gatherings with an empty chair and moments of joy smothered by guilt.

“My heart is completely shattered and will remain that way for the rest of my life,” said Greg Bartell, Alexa’s father.

Karol-Chik’s defense team sought the minimum 35-year sentence allowed by the plea agreement. Michael Karol-Chik described his son as a hard worker who has an infectious laugh and is always willing to help out with his family. He told his son that he was loved unconditionally and not defined by his worst day.

Karol-Chik’s mother, Kristie Karol-Chik, begged the judge for mercy and said her son didn’t mean to hurt anyone.

“Don’t throw my baby away,” she said. “Don’t waste his life. Don’t make him a throwaway kid. Because I know he has so much good in his heart.”

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