Man convicted in 2009 slaying of Long Beach grandma sentenced to life in prison

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Seven years ago, a Long Beach grandmother was gruesomely murdered, and on Wednesday her family finally received some closure.

The family members of Leam Sovanasy reflected on their loss and addressed the courtroom.

"Mother's Day has never been the same. Even if the killers will be in prison for life, at least they get to tell their mom, 'I love you,'" daughter Val Tubaces said.

Convicted killer Daniia Lasean Davis did not look at the tearful speakers and showed little emotion as he was sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

Sovanasy was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who emigrated to the U.S. from Cambodia. The 76-year-old was brutally stabbed to death in January 2009 during a burglary.

After years as a cold case, Davis and a man named Freddie Battle were finally caught and convicted of killing her.

"This was a violent and senseless murder over perhaps a few hundred dollars," family member Jim Hevener said. "A grandmother completely defenseless who literally was praying when she was senselessly bludgeoned to death."

While Wednesday's sentencing gives the family some sense of relief, they said they're still feeling a range of emotions.

Both Davis and Battle were supposed to be sentenced Wednesday, but Battle refused to come out of his cell. The judge issued an extraction order and Battle will be sentenced at a later date.