Joseph Alvarez sentenced to life in prison for murder of local state attorney
UPDATE: After Alvarez was formally sentenced, Georgette Kauffman's widow Daniel Kauffman gave his impact statement through tears and heavy breath.
He said one of the two things that will bring him solace during this difficult time is knowing Alvarez will quote "Spend an eternity burning in hell away from God's peace love and understanding."
Kauffman told the courtroom the second thing that will bring him solace, he said quote:
"Whenever it is I die, I'll be reunited with my wife in heaven for the rest of eternity."
Alvarez sat emotionless and still throughout the sentencing and Kauffman's impact statement.
In closing statements this morning defense asked for mercy and grace in Alvarez sentencing. Saying we have to look at how we treat those with mental illness.
The jury ultimately decided that Alvarez knew right from wrong.
"The important thing is that understanding when you're criminally insane, you don't know the difference between right and wrong when you're just kind of crazy versus criminally insane. Mr. Alvarez admitted that he wouldn't have done this crime if there had been a police officer standing up there," said District Attorney Bill Hicks.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Joseph Alvarez -- the man convicted of murdering state attorney Georgette Kaufmann of El Paso -- was sentenced to life in prison Monday.
Alvarez was sentenced to life on the murder charge with no fine, as well as an additional 20 years with no fine for the aggravated assault of Kaufmann's husband, Daniel Kaufmann.
The formal sentencing will resume after a recess, and Daniel Kaufmann is expected to speak in court when it does resume.
