One of the canal murder suspects sentenced

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - One of the suspects in the murder of 29-year-old Erik Cruz of Yuma that happened in June of this year appeared in court Tuesday for her sentencing hearing.

31-year-old Brittney Garcia was sentenced to 25 years for second degree murder and five years for theft of means of transportation.

Both sentences are set to be ran consecutively and the other charges she was potentially facing were dropped which included armed robbery, possession weapon by prohibited person and evidence tampering.

During the hearing, Cruz's mother shared how much the loss of her son has impacted her family.

"His son with autism, asks and asks about him. What are we supposed to tell him?" Cruz's mother expressed.

While the mother shared compassion for Garcia, she also talked about the internal pain she continues to deal with.

"I just want to tell her that I don’t have bad blood. My son won't return. Nothing will ever return him to me. My heart isn’t poisoned by this cruelty that she did to him," Cruz's mother stated while adding that she's disappointed over the face that Garcia has not appeared to show remorse for her actions during the court proceedings. "I hope she comes out rehibilitated, and that that man she lived with...he made her his puppet. He did what he wanted with her and she is not even as guilty."

Another family member was also able to address the court, saying no matter what happens in the future, the family will never feel justified.

"No amount of money, or time served is going to feel like justice to my family," the family member said.

Garcia will now be sent to the Arizona Department of Corrections and could be released in mid 2054.

The other suspect in the case is 35-year-old Fernando Malta, and he will be back in court later this month.