YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- The family of a three-year-old girl who was killed in a gun battle between rival gang members is angry that the child's killer was granted clemency from his death sentence.

Governor Ted Strickland announced Monday that he was commuting Sidney Cornwell's sentence to life in prison with no chance for parole for the 1996 murder of Jessica Ballew.

Virgil Ballew, Jessica's father, said Strickland let his family down with the decision.

"Ted Strickland, this is to you. No wonder you didn't get reelected, because you don't do your job properly. You didn't stand on your feet and do what was right. I'm sorry, but the justice system sucks today," Ballew said.

Members of Cornwell's family celebrated Strickland's decision and used the occasion to call for an end to violence.

Candace Mauzy, family spokesperson, said Cornwell has changed and now accepts responsibility for his actions.

"He really believed in that gang stuff back then, thought people had his back. He was standing up for a family that didn't exist. He knows that now. It was all wrong. He chose the wrong path. He doesn't blame anyone, for we have to take responsibility for our own actions," Mauzy said.

They said the believe Strickland took all of the evidence into account in his decision to spare Cornwell's life.