The sentencing followed an emotional Family Court hearing in which Converse’s parents and Silveira addressed the court.

Daniel Converse read a statement that his wife, Teresa Converse, had written. “Our lives are shattered, forever altered," he began. "And we are left with broken hearts and spirits due to his unnecessary and untimely death."

Converse said his son was "a beautiful, happy kid who has been adored from the day he was born. In all of the condolences we have received, and the letters from friends and family, we have had only validation that Jonathan was a person who spread joy and smiles to all he encountered."

Converse said his wife finds it difficult to get through an hour without crying and he finds it tough to get through each day. Converse said some of his son’s friends don’t want to be alone. Some cry and ask them for answers. But, he said, “We have none.”

Converse said he and his wife will never get to see their son go to a prom, graduate from high school or “meet the girl of his dreams.” He said, “We can only wish that no one — no one — will ever go through this unbearable pain.”

Converse said there is no doubt his son made some poor decisions, and he and his wife question their decision to let him stay out later that night because there was no school that day. But he said it’s important that those involved in the fatal crash be held accountable.

“Accountability is an invaluable tool,” Converse said. But he said did not want Silveira to end up in the ACI.

Dressed in a dark suit, blue shirt and tie, Silveira then stood before the judge. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I miss Jon every day. My best friend is gone.”

Silveira said, “I just want to apologize for all the pain I’ve caused to all the people around me.”

With that, Jeremiah imposed the sentence, and a deputy sheriff took Silveira away to the Training School in handcuffs as members of his family wept.

After the hearing, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said, “What happened in Family Court today shows how well the juvenile-justice system can work. Certifying this young offender — giving him an adult sentence but keeping him in the custody of the juvenile system for the next two years — is a creative, proportional and appropriate outcome to this case. Our hearts go out to the Converse family for the indescribable loss they have suffered.”

Assistant Attorney General Jay Sullivan said, “We felt this was the appropriate disposition because of his age, because Family Court didn’t have sufficient time to deal with him.” He noted the General Assembly recently lowered Family Court jurisdiction from age 21 to 19. Also, he said Converse’s family “was adamant the he not go to the ACI.”

One of Silveira’s lawyers, William J. Murphy, said, “My client and his family are broken up over what happened. It was my client’s good friend that passed away. We are very saddened about the loss of life of Jon Converse. My client is very remorseful for what happened on Nov. 5.”

Murphy, who is speaker of the state House of Representatives, said, “I think it’s a lesson for all of us to learn. The lesson is, kids should realize they should not drink and drive. There is no good ending to a case like this, with two families that have been devastated.”

Also after the hearing, Silveira’s father, who is also named Michael Silveira said, “I’m very sorry for the Converse family and for what happened.”

The Converses said they would like to see some laws changed. For example, Teresa Converse noted the owner of the S&M Liquors, a Providence liquor store, was fined $250 for selling alcohol to minors in a sting operation, which came after two Barrington teens said they went to that store to buy some of the alcohol that played a role in the fatal crash.

By comparison, a motorist can be fined $500 for littering, Teresa Converse said, calling for stiffer penalties for those who sell alcohol to minors.