The family of a murdered Border Patrol agent waited patiently in a downtown federal courtroom on Friday to hear the judge deliver Jesus Navarro-Montes' sentence.
Navarro-Montes will serve life in prison for the death of Border Patrol agent Luis Aguilar.
A Border Patrol Agent who testified at the sentencing hearing said Navarro-Montes sped up and purposely hit Aguilar and fled the scene, calling Navarro-Montes "an evil coward."
The court listened as Aguilar's family read letters to the judge.
"There is a huge void that no one can fill, because a father's love can never be replaced." Erica Aguilar said as she stood at the podium with their two children.
Aguliar's young daughter also read a letter aloud to the court.
"I hate you for what you did," Adriana Aguilar said. "You are such a coward. I can't believe you killed my dad. You will suffer the consequences."
But in his statement to the judge, Navarro-Montes said his human rights are being violated and he will appeal his conviction and sentence.
Navarro-Montes was driving a Hummer and hit and killed Aguilar, who was laying down a spike-strip to stop the Hummer in January 2008 at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
Authorities say the Border Patrol was chasing Navarro's marijuana-filled Hummer and the agent was killed as he lay down a spike strip to stop him.
Navarro fled to Mexico and was extradited in January 2010.
