It was an emotional day in court for a Michiana mom whose son was killed by a close friend.

Patrick Carter was shot to death in October of 2009, at a home near Dowagiac.

In a Cass County courtroom today, Carter’s close friend--Steven Graham entered a guilty plea to a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter.

“We knew Steven (Graham) real well, he was my kids’ friend, all my boys,” said Mary Carter, mother of shooting victim Patrick Carter. “He (defendant Graham) called me ‘mom,’ he give me hugs, like all my other kids’ friends do,” Mary Carter said.

“The defendant plead guilty to the 15 year offense of manslaughter,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. “He will be set for sentencing which is set for March 19th.”

Although Graham admitted his guilt, he denied any active involvement in the fatal shooting. According to Graham’s courtroom account, he, Patrick Carter and others were at a home where guns and alcohol were present.

Graham claimed to be the only one at the home who wasn’t drinking.

Graham also said that Patrick Carter came out with “two guns, pointing them at me.”

According to Graham, “I had a long gun in between my leg, pointing up at the ceiling. I do not know how that gun went off, if I hit the trigger, it just went off, I have no clue, but the gun went off and Patrick was dead on the ground.”

Mary Carter found it hard to believe Graham’s account. “I don’t believe it, nobody will ever know really only the ones that was there,” Carter said.