When all was said and done Ernier Pacheco was sentenced to 12 years in state prison.
Ernier Pacheco
He plead to aggravated manslaughter in the 2014 stabbing death of 21-year-old Alberto Saquic outside of Chapala II on Morris Avenue. Pacheco was 18 at the time of the stabbing.
Speaking through an interpreter, Pacheco apologized to Alberto Saquic's family.
"First of all, I'd like to apologize to the victim's family for my actions," Pacheco said. "It was never my intent for this to happen." The 19-year-old said that he feels he is older now and has a different frame of mind than he did on the night that Saquic died.
He also apologized to the court, to which Judge Peter Warshaw replied "you don't have to apologize to me."
Saquic's brother had intended to be in court, but a work conflict prevented him from being able to attend.
Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Petrucci said that she'd relate Pacheco's apology to the family, but noted that Friday appeared to be the first time that Pacheco had expressed remorse for his actions.
Judge Warshaw sentenced the 20-year-old in accordance with his plea agreement, but he was given jail credit for 873 days.He'd already spent in prison. Under the terms of his plea agreement he'll have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release. Typically, aggravated manslaughter carries between 10 to 30 years in prison.