Armando Perez asked his former in-laws to forgive him Monday moments after admitting guilt in his estranged wife's brutal murder four years ago at San Diego City College.
Perez entered a change of plea, just before he was to stand trial for the stabbing of 19-year-old Diana Gonzalez, inside a campus restroom on October 12, 2010.
He turned to Gonzalez's family and asked them to forgive him, saying there should be money to help men with problems so they don't have to go through what happened here.
"I would like you to forgive me, I know it's going to be difficult, but only God knows why things happen,” Perez said.
However, the victim's sister told him to save his words.
"Honestly the little time that we knew him, we know what kind of person he is, I'm sorry but his apology to me meant nothing,” older sister Janette Gonzalez said after leaving the courtroom.
Teresa Santana, the Deputy District Attorney on the case, said on the night of the murder, Perez hid behind a tree, grabbed Gonzalez after class and viciously stabbed her in the bathroom.
After jurors were brought into the courtroom in San Diego Superior Court, Perez asked to speak with the judge.
The defendant said he would plead guilty to all charges and wanted to give the victim's family time to heal.
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Judge Rogers called Perez's decision a surprise and unprecedented in his experience.
Perez said it was the "right thing to do" and that he hopes his actions help bring awareness to domestic violence.
“Whatever he does, it’s not going to bring my sister back,” Gonzalez said. “But at least we’re going to be in peace knowing he’s never come out, he’s never going to come after my family or anybody, or harm anybody else.”
As a result of his statement, Perez will be sentenced to 25 years to life. His sentencing hearing was scheduled for January 16, 2015.
"We wish we could've showed the people how bad person and monster he was but I guess this made it easier for us,” Gonzalez said.
