CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in a Taco Bell closet on Charleston's west side last year was sentenced to life in prison without mercy. That means he will not be eligible for parole.

Judge James Stuckey handed down the sentence for Desmond Clark Thursday afternoon.

The shooting happened July 5, 2008. Clark entered a guilty plea March 30 in a Kanawha County courtroom.

Clark admitted to murdering his girlfriend, Nalisha Gravely, after she escaped from his car. She ran inside the Taco Bell on Patrick Street to try to get away from Clark, but he followed her inside and found her hiding in a storage closet.
That's where he shot and killed her. There were customers and employees inside at the time. No one else was hurt but many of the witnesses were traumatized by what they saw that day.

During the hearing, Clark apologized to the Gravely's family moments before he learned his fate. He said he "messed up bad."

"I ask Nalisha and God for forgiveness every day," said Clark. "I know you all are hurting and that I messed up bad. I really do wish this thing never happened. I'm sorry to everyone that witnessed it."

Detective Brian Jones described Clark as a man who didn't seem to care during his interrogation after the murder.

Dr. Bobby Miller diagnosed Clark with Intermittent Explosive Disorder, but claims Clark "knew right from wrong."

Prosecutors argued that Clark would be a danger if ever released.

"It was a heinous brutal murder, and he'll have to pay the consequences for the rest of his life. The victim's family is going to have to for the rest of their life. I feel it's fair he should remain in prison for the rest of his life," said Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants.

Plants also played the 911 call a Taco Bell employee made during the shooting. In it, you can hear gunshots and the employee trying to help Nalisha. Click on the link above to listen an excerpt from the recording. WARNING: the call contains graphic details and might upset some people