Teen convicted of killing romantic rival gets 27 year sentence

Rachel Wade has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for her second-degree murder conviction.

Wade, 20, was found guilty of second degree murder in July. She was convicted of fatally stabbing 18-year-old Sarah Ludemann in Pinellas Park in April of 2009 when she was 19. The two girls were romantic rivals who were both involved with Josh Camacho.

The two girls' feud over the boy escalated for a year before the confrontation last April. Harassing phone calls, text messages and online posts were part of the fight.

Officials close to the case have said that Camacho encouraged the girls to fight over him. Wade now calls Camacho "worthless."

Ludemann was driving a mini-van with two passengers when she and Wade had their final confrontation in the middle of a Pinellas Park road.

Victim's parents plead for life

Wade was hoping to get a 15-year sentence, but Ludemann's parents asked the judge to give her life in prison.

"She carried out her plan," said Charles Ludemann. "She was going to kill my daughter. So, thank you, Rachel. You took my life and my child."

"She hated Sarah so much she killed her intentionally by plunging a knife through her heart and her lungs," said Gay Ludemann. "Without remorse and without regret."

Wade cried as her parents asked the judge for leniency.

"Rachel understands that she has made a grave error in judgment that night when she grabbed the knife," said Barry Wade.

For the first time since the murder, Wade apologized to Ludemann's parents.

"I'm so sorry to be the one who has caused you this great pain," Wade said. "I need you to know, please, that I'm truly just a teenage girl. Not a monster and a murderer as it may seem."

But before he sentenced her, judge Joseph Bulone said he questioned Wade's remorse.

Defense attorney Jay Hebert said Wade has not decided if she's going to appeal. Hebert said Wade was not offered a plea deal.