GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On Tuesday, the family of Jessica Ledford learned for the third time how long her killer will spend in prison.
"This is what I have left of her. It is her hair that they gave me at the funeral home,” said Ledford’s mother Krisit Medina.
During court on Tuesday, many of her family members spoke about why they believe Marc Osborne should remain behind bars.
"He threw her away like trash, and he gets a chance to live a life. Yes, I have forgiven him, but as I told him the last time we were in court, forgiveness does not mean that he doesn't have to serve the penalty of his crime,” said Ledford’s stepmother, Vicki Ledford-Buitendyk.
Osborne was convicted of killing Ledford in 2000 and was sentenced to life without parole.
But because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, that makes mandatory life sentences unconstitutional for juveniles, Osborne was given a new sentence.
This action, which includes a previous resentencing and appeal, frustrates the family because Osborne was only two months away from turning 18 when he killed Ledgord.
They believe he knew what he was doing when he killed Ledford.
“She died in pain. It takes three minutes to five minutes to manually strangle somebody That was the last 10 minutes of my sister's life, and he gets to go out,” said sister Janene Pruss.
“I don't care that he's been a good citizen for 10 years in prison. I don't care. My sister has been dead for 25 years,” said sister Katie Butler.
The defense argued that Osborne had worked to better himself, citing written statements from prison officials stating his progress while locked up.
"In addition to staying out of trouble, Marc has done everything that he can to seek and then complete meaningful educational and vocational goals. He's completed his associate's degree. He completed his GED almost as soon as he came to prison."
Osborne spoke for himself as well during the sentencing, saying even though he dealt with trauma and fear, he understood what he did was wrong.
“I believe that it was this fear that let me kill Jessica that night. Fear of losing my friend, led me to act violently. Fear of getting caught led me to humiliate her by staging the crime scene and fear facing my community that let me wait so long to admit my guilt,” said Osborne.
Ultimately, the judge sentenced Osborne to 40 to 60 years in prison.
After the sentencing, Ledford’s stepmother told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that she was relieved Osborne received the maximum sentence, but realizes in 15 years Osborne could still be set free.
" I understand that when there is a parole hearing we can attend that and I intend to be there," said Ledford-Buitendyk.
To watch the full court hearing and coverage of this story, tune into this special for free on 13+, which you can down on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV.