From a house party to the jail house. A shocking end to the Caleb Barnett tragedy. Despite emotional pleas for mercy a local man learned how much time he'll serve in connection to the death of his close friend.

In July 2009 Taylor Thompson and Caleb Barnett were partying and taking drugs, drugs Thompson provided. On Wednesday, McCracken County Circuit Judge Craig Clymer sentenced Thompson to two two-and-a-half-year terms to run concurrently.

Thompson pleaded guilty to trafficking a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

"There's no winners in this case, there's only losers, " Thompson's attorney Will Kautz said. Kautz added that he plans on applying his client for shock probation later this year.

Nearly everyone involved, including the victim's family, was expecting the judge to give Thompson probation, not jail time. However, after careful consideration and looking over dozens of letters in Thompson's support Judge Clymer wanted to send a message that drugs kill.

"Consequences for Caleb's actions? He's dead," Judge Clymer said. "Consequences for your actions? You're going to have to do some prison time over it."

Prison time for providing mushrooms to Caleb Barnett. Under the influence of drugs Barnett later broke into a home he thought was his own. The homeowner, Brad McKinney, shot Barnett who later died.

Oddly, Caleb Barnett's own parents wanted to see Thompson go free.

"We were hoping for probation," David Barnett said.

David's wife Kim added, "God softened my heart and said 'You know what? I've got your son in heaven with me and he's just fine. Now you need to try and help change this man's life'."

As for those who might not understand?

"They're not sitting with Taylor. They haven't talked with Taylor. They don't know Taylor's heart. They've not cried with Taylor. They've not prayed with Taylor, we have," David Barnett said.

Taylor Thompson addressed the court Wednesday saying he's a changed person is sorry for his crime.

"I love Caleb with all my heart. I miss him everyday and I'm going to honor his name by creating a good one for myself. I'm going to do something positive in society and I'm going to do it drug free," Thompson said.

A new drug free life which now starts in prison but family and friends will be there when Thompson gets out.

"Taylor is a part of our lives," David Barnett said. "Today, tomorrow, 10 years from now. Taylor is a part of our lives. We're tied together."

Tied together through tragedy; one young man's death and another man's future behind bars.

Brad and Robyn McKinney submitted a letter to the judge before the sentencing. In it, the McKinney family recalls the night Barnett broke in calling incident, the "worst nightmare and the most terrifying night you could ever imagine."

The letter also includes a statement about the event and the impact on everyone involved. The statement reads: "This was not a just a home invasion, this was a life invasion. This was not just a party with friends that went bad. That night will haunt us forever, as I believe it should for all those involved."