A man convicted of murdering a 14-year-old girl in 2007 was given a sentence of 25 years in prison to life on Friday.
Antero Cruz, 24, murdered then 14-year-old Ahlyia Pinson on New Year’s Eve more than five years ago. The girl was found with more than 70 stab wounds in an abandoned Golden Hill home.
The victim's mother spoke in court on Friday about how devastating this has been for her family, especially Pinson’s teen's brothers.
Although it was tough facing her daughter's killer, Adriana Pinson said she wants to make sure he receives no mercy.
“I can't get over the fact that you have no compassion or remorse for your horrendous crime,” said Adriana. “You killed the opportunity for my family, for my sons, for her friends to see her laugh grow, you killed all her dreams.”
Cruz was arrested 10 days after Pinson's body was discovered and his former girlfriend said he begged her to lie to police about where he was when Pinson was murdered.
The 24-year-old gang member asked for forgiveness.
“I know I don't deserve your forgiveness I know that very well I'm supposed to be dead, 6 feet deep, where I really belong,” he said.
Cruz also admitted to making many bad choices in life and that killing Aliyah was one of his biggest mistakes.
“I know I have caused you many tears and sorrow and I do understand how you feel, because I live with it everyday of my life through my mother’s tears,” he said.
He also has two other pending cases, one for hit-and-run and another for assault with a deadly weapon.
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