BARABOO, Wis. -- A Sauk County judge sentenced Eric Hainstock to life in prison with the possibility for a parole in 30 years on Friday for the killing of his high school principal.

The 16-year-old boy was convicted of fatally shooting Weston Schools Principal John Klang last September. A jury convicted him of first-degree intentional homicide on Thursday night.

Judge Patrick Taggart said that he considered Hainstock's age and background before sentencing. He said that he believes the teen can be rehabilitated, madison TV station WISC-TV reported.

Defense attorneys had requested parole eligibility after 20 years while the state had requested 49 years with the date of eligibility being Sept.29, 2056 -- or 50 years after the shooting at Weston Schools.

Klang's widow testified on Friday the loss of her husband leaves her with emptiness and despair. Sue Klang talked at Eric Hainstock's sentencing hearing in Sauk County Circuit Court.

She said that her husband was her high school sweetheart and that she can't recall a time in her adult life that he wasn't there. Klang said that her husband was her best friend and the love of her life and his death has left her with horror and agony.

The jurors who convicted Hainstock said that they focused on the guns and ammunition that he brought to school and the number of shots fired in determining his intent to murder.

Juror Brian Ludolph, of Prairie du Sac, said on Friday the fact numerous shots were fired by Hainstock convinced them the student intended to kill Klang. Ludolph said that Hainstock bringing the guns and ammunition to school also played into their finding of intent.

Juror Diana Mielke, of North Freedom, said that the jury was initially split on whether Hainstock intended to kill Klang.

Mielke said that she was initially among the six who thought Hainstock didn't have intent to kill, but changed her mind after recalling Hainstock's lack of emotion during the trial.

The defense had argued that Hainstock was picked on in school and suffered from attention-deficit disorder. They said that he brought the guns to school only to make people listen that he never meant to kill his principal.

Prosecutors said Hainstock's anger toward Klang had been building for two weeks before the shooting. They said the killing was intentional.

Jurors deliberated nearly six and a half hours on Thursday before reaching their verdict. The jury had the choice to convict Hainstock on one of three homicide charges or grant an acquittal.

Jurors were also able to consider first-degree reckless homicide, which is punishable by up to 60 years in prison. The charge does not require the prosecution to prove intent, only that Klang's death was caused by Hainstock's reckless acts and that he acted in utter disregard for human life.

The jury also had the option of second-degree reckless homicide, which is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. The charge also requires that prosecutors prove that Hainstock caused John Klang's death by reckless acts but not that he acted in disregard for human life.

Hainstock's attorneys hugged him after the verdict was read. Tears streamed down the face of Hainstock's father, Shawn. He and Hainstock's attorneys left without speaking to reporters.