HEBER — When Ashley Sparks sent a letter to Santa in 1996, she wasn't asking for presents for herself. She was thinking of the homeless. "They deserve a home, lots of clothes and to be happy," she wrote.

Three years later, in a letter to television host Maury Povich, a young Sparks pledged the $150 in her savings account if Povich would help her overworked mom get a vacation.

Four bullets on Dec. 26, 2008, cut 21-year-old Sparks' life short, but her kindness might have extended even to her killer, giving him a chance at a future she'll never have, a judge remarked Wednesday.

"Mr. Alvey, that hope of some more life is a hope you didn't grant to Ashley Sparks," Judge Derek Pullan told the barely 20-year-old Christopher Alvey, as he stood before Pullan in handcuffs awaiting sentencing. "But from what I have learned of her love and compassion, it is a hope she may have granted to you, were she here to speak today."

And with that, Pullan recommended that Alvey spend at least 30 years in prison, but that he be considered for parole after that. His sentence is technically 20 years to life.

Alvey pleaded guilty in April to aggravated murder for shooting Sparks four times from behind, then leaving her body near the Jordanelle Reservoir. Alvey and his gang leader, Joshua Binkerd, believed she was a police informant and were trying to prevent her from taking information about them to the authorities, according to Wasatch County Attorney Thomas Low.

Low said they plan to charge Binkerd this month in connection with Sparks' death, now that Alvey's case is finished.

Sparks' family members had pleaded for life without parole but said they appreciated the judge's thorough deliberations and mention of Sparks' kind nature.

"The love I shared with my daughter was very deep," said Sparks' mother, Pamela Larsen, weeping. "We gave each other multitudes of happiness. She was part of my soul, and I lost a part of myself the day I lost her."

Sparks also leaves behind a 2-year-old son and three younger siblings. But defense attorney Sidney Unrau reminded Pullan that Alvey is part of a family, too.

Alvey grew up as a shy, sensitive boy who was also a jokester but the first one to apologize for hurting someone's feelings. He would offer to pull weeds to earn spending money and frequently corralled his family together to play board games, said family friend Rebecca Stouffer.

"But even with these great qualities he was also a follower," Stouffer said. "I guess he kind of felt like the black sheep, as well. He sought out acceptance and approval from others. I can see why someone like Chris would easily be loyal to other individuals, good or bad."