The family of Marcy Cruz came to the Leighton Criminal Court Building for a final time. On Thursday, Cruz appeared before Judge Jorge Alonso for formal sentencing. The judge asked if she cared to make a statement, and Cruz said "I'm sorry."
On Thursday, Prosecutors called Cruz's testimony truthful and therefore submitted a plea agreement in which Cruz receives a reduced sentenced of only 22 years in prison. Judge Alonso accepted the plea agreement, and Cruz's family accepts the consequences.
"It's not easy. I'm glad that she did the right thing. She's ready to accept what's coming. I love her. She's my daughter," said Edwin Cruz, Marcy Cruz's father.
The judge accepted a plea agreement Cruz reached in exchange for testifying against Viramontes. Viramontes was found guilty in the attack last week.
Stacy Jurich and Natasha McShane were severely beaten with a baseball bat during the attack and robbery in 2010. McShane, who lives in Northern Ireland, cannot speak or walk on her own.
Neither the McShane family nor Stacy Jurich were in court on Thursday.
Cruz pleaded guilty in July to the attempted first-degree murder charge.
Cruz has been in custody for three years and will likely serve only 16 more years, leaving her two young boys to be raised by her parents.Viramontes is scheduled to be sentenced next month and faces up to 120 years in prison.
