Jorge Suarez has been sentenced to the maximum 25 years to life in prison for murdering Anchor Bar employee Freddie Dizon in May of 2016.
Earlier this month, Suarez, 27, was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting, which happened in the kitchen of the iconic Main Street restaurant
Dizon's mother Herminia Gonzalez, told reporters after sentencing she is happy justice was served.
"This is the best Christmas present I could have. Now my family can heal. It's been a while. I haven't been healing. I just wanted to heal for my grandkids and take care of my grandkids like I promised my son," Gonzalez said.
"That's all they do is talk about daddy. It's hard. I still think he's going to walk into the doors and I know he's not."
Suarez's attorney, Mark Worrell, says the jury "got it wrong." He says his client is innocent and he will appeal the sentence.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says the trial for the alleged getaway driver Gregory Ramos will begin sometime next month.
