There was tearful and poignant testimony Tuesday at the sentencing of Jason Schumann, the man convicted of killing high soccer player Francisco Rodriguez, whose family got up and spoke out about their loss.
Schumann didn't display any emotion, didn't look at the family and didn't apologize.
"Monsters like that, they don't have hearts. So it doesn't affect me that he didn't have remorse, because he's the one that's going to go to jail," said Nancy Ortega, Rodriguez's cousin.
Schumann was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the murder of El Camino High student Rodriguez, who was also known as "Pancho." His family put a picture of Rodriguez in front of Schumann during the court proceeding.
Rodriguez's mother broke down during the sentencing, still shedding tears outside, saying she misses everything about her son.
His soccer coach also spoke about the devastating loss.
"It's really hard. Every day when I drive to school, I think about him. We put a plaque up to honor him, so I see that every day when we go to practice, so, just every day I think about him," said David Hussey, an El Camino assistant principal and soccer coach.
Investigators say Rodriguez was romantically linked to Elizabeth Ibarra, the mother of Schumann's child. They say she knocked on the door of Rodriguez's Winnetka home, and when he came to the door, Schumann shot Rodriguez multiple times.
"My cousin's life was taken away, but it wasn't just him. It affected our whole entire family and a whole entire school, and the whole entire community," said Nancy Ortega.
Rodriguez's family says there is an empty space in their hearts that can never be filled, but that they have some peace knowing Schumann will possibly spend the rest of his life behind bars life.
"I'm just thankful that justice was served and he will never hurt another family like the way that he hurt us, because no one deserves to go through this," said Rodriguez's cousin Elisabeth Viramontes.
