Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Marcus Mattson’s friends and family gathered at the Warren County Courthouse to see justice served for his murder. Pictured are family members of Mattson including, third from left, his mother - Ellie Holt.

Marcus Mattson

On Friday, his family witnessed justice.

“Our family is faithful,” Marcus’ mother, Ellie Holt, said in court Friday. “You’re pleading with God… find my son and whoever is responsible. From day one we have prayed for justice for Marcus.”

She described her son as “fun-loving.”

“He had a smile and laugh that could light up a room.”

She talked about his talents for music and sports.

She said he had “hopes and dreams that will not be fulfilled.”

And she described the “unimaginable heartache” that she experienced when she was told by Pennsylvania State Police that her son was dead and when she learned that he had been killed “brutally and maliciously.”

“James McDaniel is a monster, a liar, and a murderer,” Holt said in court. “Now he will face the consequences of his actions.”

The family is satisfied with the plea agreement that results in McDaniel spending the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. “I’m content that justice has been served for Marcus,” Holt said.

And the family was including in the process of making the decision not to go to trial.

“There are no winners in this case,” District Attorney Rob Greene said. “The plea negotiations came through extensive negotiations (including) talking with Ellie.”

That plea agreement “did prevent them from having to go through the ordeal of a trial and the circus which would not do Marcus any justice,” he said.

“We are very thankful to Warren County, Pennsylvania State Police, Rob Greene, the Victim Witness Program, and everybody that was involved, and the around-the-clock work that they did to help find Marcus and figure out what happened,” she said. “We’re very, very appreciative.”

“We have continuously prayed for the justice of Marcus Mattson,” Holt said. “God is good. He delivered. Today, that day has come.”