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News Specialist Stacey Butler reportingA judge today sentenced the killer of 19-year-old Khendra Isakson in 3rd District Court.
Already convicted by a jury of first degree murder for the senseless shooting of a 19-year-old Khendra Isakson, today Seruka Tiliaia was sentenced to a minimun of seven years to life in prison.
You may remember in September of 2001, 19-year-old Khendra Isakson was attending a party in Kearns late one Saturday night when police say two teens at the same party became angry over a craps game. One started shooting randomly, hitting Isakson in the chest and killing her.
Today the convicted killer told a judge he was sorry for what happened to Isakson but said he didn't pull the trigger.
"Today was our day and to hear him stand up and say and deny it was horrible," says Kehndra's father, Ken Isakson.
"She'll always be gone. Someday I'll tell her daughter what happened and it will always be there, so maybe the worst part is over. I don't know," says Cindy Isakson, Kehndra's mother.
Isakson's then-fiance says their daughter, Angel, wakes up crying for her mother some nights, and that somehow, she understands what has happened.
"She tells me all the time, mommy's in heaven, daddy, mommy's in heaven," says Joe Valdez.
Friends and family members dedicated a softball park in Isakson's honor last spring. She was apparently a young woman with a lot of family and friends. Today the courtroom was packed with Isakson's supporters, who are pleased with the judge's strict ruling.
