By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-617285.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Convicted Bike Path Killer Altemio Sanchez was sentenced Tuesday morning to 75 years to life in prison.
Sanchez admitted in May that he killed UB student Linda Yalem in 1990, Majane Mazur of Buffalo in 1992 and Joan Diver of Clarence last September.
Sanchez addressed the court for less than a minute. He said he "deserves" the sentence he was about to receive.
"I did these crimes," Sanchez said. "I should pay for these crimes."
Sanchez then apologized to the families of his victims.
State Supreme Court Justice Christopher Burns rejected Sanchez's statement of remorse. Burns said Sanchez hurt the victims' families "beyond repair."
"You showed no mercy," Burns said. "You deserve none.
"It's this court's intention that you never see freedom again."
Steven Diver, the husband of his last victim, addressed the court prior to sentencing as did the sister of Linda Yalem.
Diver said his wife's murder was "senseless" and "incomprehensible."
Sanchez has also been linked to more than a dozen rapes in the Buffalo area, dating back to 1979. However, he cannot be prosecuted for the rapes because the statute of limitations has expired.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear the recording of the sentencing proceedings. It starts with remarks by Deputy District Attorney Frank Sedita, III. Defense Attorney Andrew LoTempio follows. Sanchez himself then provides his statement. The segment concludes with Justice Burns' sentencing pronouncement.