gabriel truitt sentenced to life in prison

Gabriel Truitt was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Friday, after he was convicted of murder and arson in January.

Say that today has been a long time coming as truitt's original sentencing date back in april was due to the coronavirus."

(cover with scene video) "the only responible action from a civilized society is to remove you from that society for the maximum period of time allowed by law.

Accordingly i hear by sentence you to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder in the first degree."

Gabriel truitt will now spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury unanimously found him guilty of setting the fire that ultimately killed oneonta fire fighter john heller.

"i was really glad that he got the maximum which i really thought he deserved in this case."

Otsego district attorney john muuele said during his statement that truitt was one of the most dangerous criminals he's ever prosecuted .

None .

None "i have never dealt with a person who was willing to set fire to a building while trying to kill his girlfriend knowing their were at least 5 other apartments and doing it in the middle of the night knowing that he could have killed 10 people or so.

Just because he was upset with his girlfriend talking to another man."

Before dying of smoke inhalation, john heller saved his sister in law, erika heller's children.

Erika took to the stand to read her last statement to truitt.

"for 566 days we have waited to tell you every way you devastated this family."

During her statement, heller touched on the impact truitt's decision made on her family and her children.

"a 6 year old that doesnt fear monsters or boogy men or anything like that.

Instead he has nightmares about a bad man coming through his window and setting his bed on fire while he sleeps.

Because at just 5 he had to learn that your face represents all that is evil in this world."

And during this time, truitt showed no sympathy and persisted that he was innocent.

"i didn't do this, you all can say that i have no remorse, whatever.

But i'll be back and then you will see that i didn't do this."

"he's never going to admit that he did it.

Even though we have it all on video.

We have the video of him taking the accelerant out of his shop.

We have him on video walking towards the building.

We know from the tests that we have didswe know that heid , but he willever take responsibity."

Truitt ion his y to otse county courtwheres sentence.

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