LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — LEX 18 was in court on Thursday morning where Hubert Riley, one of the men found guilty in the shooting death of Elaina Mammen, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder.
Meanwhile, Alexander Riley was sentenced to 17 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Mammen.
Hubert Riley apologizes to the Mammen family. With time served credit of 800+ days he is sentenced to 30 years for murder concurrent with other charges. Must serve at least 80%. @LEX18News
— Michael Berk (@LEX18_Michael) May 1, 2025
LEX 18 previously reported that in December 2022, 19-year-old Mammen was shot and killed on Colonnade Drive.
Thursday morning, Mammen's mother, Heather, spoke directly to her daughter's killers, telling Hubert that she gave him grace, but he took her daughter.
"I had a long time to decide if it wanted to hang onto hate and vengeance, or love, and love is the better route," Heather stated.
"She was just an enigma... that was my girl. That was my girl... and it just breaks my heart that she's not here," Elaina's friend, Maya Griffin expressed.
Heather noted that her "Go Light Our World Foundation" will keep her going after her daughter's death and Judge Julie Goodman expressed interest in learning more about it.
“We would like to develop a culture that enhances, protects and includes our youth and young adults. It's all about helping the people that are here,” Heather told LEX 18 in January.
Original Story:
Heather Mammen had a sense of relief and gratitude after her daughter's killers plead guilty in court on Wednesday.
“I am grateful that they will be held accountable for what they did to my daughter. Pleased is a stretch because she’s never coming back, but the fact that they admitted to killing my girl and plead guilty, I am very relieved about that,” Mammen said moments after Fayette Circuit Court Judge, Julie Goodman accepted both guilty pleas.
Hubert and Alexander Riley are set to be sentenced on May 1. The commonwealth is recommending that Hubert serve 30 years for the 2022 murder of Elaina Mammen, while Alexander’s charge was amended to manslaughter, for which a 17-year sentence was recommended.
Both were given a chance to tell the court what occurred the night Elaina was shot to death, and both claimed they were shooting at a car because they thought someone was following them.
Mammen said she will not pass up the opportunity to deliver a victim impact statement during next month’s sentencing hearing.
“No, I won't let it go. Number 1, I want Elaina’s light to shine on, and number 2 I want to encourage them to be better people in hopes that they’ll make better decisions. Even though they’ll be behind bars they can help our youth make better decisions,” she said.
Mammen has her GLOW Project, which is a philanthropic organization in Elaina’s honor. On Thursday, she’ll be collected supplies, money and registering volunteers to help with flood relief in Frankfort. Her own home was destroyed by water, and it’s still inaccessible due to the road conditions. Her family helps with GLOW, as they have since the time this happened to her daughter three years ago.
“Elaina has a very large tribe, but her close tribe, (without them) I never would’ve been able to make it. I’d have been either six feet under, literally or locked up in some hospital somewhere,” Mammen stated, before saying Elaina will always be in their hearts.
