by KYW's Tony Hanson

A Philadelphia judge has imposed the maximum sentence on a 19-year-old man for shooting a 14-year-old boy to death during a road rage incident last summer in South Philadelphia.

Defendant Charles Meyers (above) has been sentenced to 26-52 years in prison for the third-degree murder verdict (see previous story).

Tykeem Law was riding a bicycle with some friends when along came Meyers in a car.  According to the prosecutor, Meyres shot Law because the boy didn't get his bike out of the way fast enough.

And it cost him his life. Now, it will cost Meyers a good part of his life.

In court on Friday, Meyers said he was sorry and would even trade places with the victim if he could.

During the trial the defense had contended that Meyers had acted in self-defense after Law reached under his tee-shirt. Meyers' attorney said his client thought Law was reaching for a gun and reacted  (see related stories).

But no gun was found -- Law had been unarmed.

The victim's mother, Shauta McDuffie, wasn't sure what to make of the defendant's remorse on Friday:

"I don't know, I don't know. I've been wanting to hear his story, but it really doesn't matter right now."

And Tykeem Law's uncle indicated that the defendant's apology looked coached to him.

As Meyers left the courtroom he indicated that he wanted a second chance. But he won't get it, not for the next 26 years at least.