Skowhegan - A man who brutally beat his father to death in Cambridge last year will spend the next 30 years in prison. That was the ruling of Justice John Nivison in Skowhegan Wednesday.

34-year-old Angelo Licata has already admitted that, in July of 2011, he beat his father, Alfred Licata, to death at the family home in Cambridge. Under a plea agreement reached with prosecutors his sentence would be no more than 30 years, but by statute it could be no less than 25 years.

At the sentencing hearing, Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson made the argument he should spend no less than 30 years in prison for his crime. "Alfred Licata is dead. He's been dead now for well over a year and he will always be dead. Thats a severe victim impact. Mr. Licata's family will never be able to see, speak, or laugh or touch him again," Benson told the judge.

Defense Attorney Peter Barnett told the court Angelo Licata suffered from bipolar disorder and argued that he lashed out after suffering years of abuse at the hands of his father. "Angelo states that each time his father hit him or beat him that he would also threaten to kill him," Barnett said. "He was hit with rods, wooden rods and belts, and his father's fists"

After hearing from both attorneys, Judge Nivison heard from a tearful and remorseful Angelo Licata before he pronounced his sentence. "I didn't mean to cause my father's death. It was an act that started off as self-defense and it went too far. I blacked out and when I came to he was dead and I was alive. I wish this never happened, but it did," Licata said, as he fought back tears before addressing his family. "I am extremely sorry for taking my brothers' father away from them. I would also like to address my mom. I'm truly sorry for taking your husband away from you, too. I love you all and wish this had never happened."

In the end, Judge Nivison sided with the prosecution. Angelo Licata will spend the next 30 years behind bars.

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