(September 25, 2008)—James Michael Grant II has learned the length of his sentence after he pleaded guilty to taking part in the murder of his father.

After Judge Philip Zeigler, of the 52nd State District Court, in Gatesville, reviewed some evidence, he re-convening the hearing and issued a of sentence 45 years in prison.

Both the prosecutor and defense rested their cases in the punishment hearing for Grant II at about 10 am Thursday after the defense called just four witnesses.

Grant II pleaded guilty to taking part in the Sept. 15, 2007 stabbing death of his father, James Michael Grant, Sr.

John Hopkins, 27, and Leslie Megan Lewis-Grant, 43, -- Grant II's mother -- both of Gatesville, also are charged with capital murder for their parts in the killing.

Grant's body was found near a pickup truck on Greenbriar Road, east of Gatesville, after a sheriff's deputy responded to the scene on a suspicious vehicle call.

Investigators quickly proved Grant had been murdered in his bed at home and his body had been moved to the spot where it was found in that truck.

The arrest affidavit for Hopkins indicated he admitted to stabbing Grant while he slept.

He also told investigators Grant II helped him move the body and Lewis-Grant helped cover up the crime.