Tyquil Douglas wiped away the tears flowing freely down his face as he told the courtroom about how he has tried to turn his life around following his arrest last year.

“Since I’ve been in jail, I’ve been going to school,” Douglas said. “I’ve been going to bible studies. I’ve been trying to change.”

Douglas, 20, of Dowagiac, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge on Friday for his participation in the beating of Treveon Williams last April. Douglas joins Darius Wilson and Terron Young as the third and final person involved in the attack to be sent to prison for the crime.

The trio assaulted Williams in Rotary Park last year due to the testimony he gave in the trial of Terron’s brother, Justin Young, who was convicted for home invasion last February.

“The defendant’s words are as descriptive as anything,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. “I was riding around with some friends. We seen a guy who told on my friend’s brother, and so we decided to get out of the car and beat him up.’”

Douglas was the first one to strike Williams, who was then stomped on the head and torso by the three attackers.

“That was the message they were trying to send, and they did send that message,” Fitz said. “This court must send a message to him today about what happens when you use this type of harsh behavior on a citizen in our community.”

When asked to comment before his sentencing, Douglas expressed remorse for his participation in the attack.

“I’m sorry for my actions. I know what I did was wrong,” Douglas said. “I’d like to say sorry to the victim, and I hope he finds it in his heart to forgive me.”

Douglas was given 321 days credit for time already served.

Also sentenced on Friday were:

• Michael Blake, 30, of Niles, to two years probation and 150 days in jail for the manufacture of marijuana, with 81 days credit for time already served.

• Marina Cloud, 48, of Union, to two years probation for meth-related charges.

• Robert Reyna, 40, of Dowagiac, to two years probation and 180 days in jail for multiple charges, including domestic violence and possession of Diazepam. He will able to serve his jail sentence on a tether instead.