3 men sentenced for 2010 Christmas Day murder of mother

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Five years after the Christmas Day murder of a mother witnessed by her young daughter, three reputed gang members received life prison sentences.

The men were found guilty in August for shooting and killing 25-year-old Kashmier James in Manchester Square on Christmas Day in 2010. Her daughter, Nevaeh, was sitting in the front seat of the family car when her mother was killed.

Two of the men, Darnell Houston and Lamar McKnight, received life sentences without the possibility of parole. The third defendant, Derrick Williams, who was only 15 at the time of the murder, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

During the sentencing hearing, Neveah James spoke out in court and addressed the three men.

"Why have you not said you're sorry for taking my mommy away from me? My mommy was the love of my life. I remember that night and it scares me. You are supposed to love people, not hurt and kill them," she said.

Kim Evans, James' mother, said the defendants attended court each day with a smile on their faces and never showed remorse for what they had done.

The defendants had a chance to respond, but did not say anything. Attorneys for all three defendants have filed motions to appeal the sentences.