A Florida man who committed "senseless" violence when he shot a cyclist to death and injured another will spend the rest of his life in prison, a judge ruled Thursday.
Last month, a jury convicted Kadel Piedrahita, 46, of second-degree murder for the killing of 48-year-old Alexis Palencia, and aggravated assault with a firearm for the attack of Cesar Sosa on a Miami causeway in 2019, according to WPLG-TV.
Following the announcement of the guilty verdict, Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle called Palencia's slaying appalling and "senseless," while congratulating prosecutors on the outcome.
"I applaud the talented prosecutorial team of Assistant State Attorneys Arvind Singh and Conor Soper for effectively bringing forth the important case elements that drove Piedrahita to commit this senseless act of violence," Rundle said in a statement, in part.
"I hope that the family of Alexis Palencia has gained some sense of justice with this verdict knowing that nothing can replace the senseless loss of a loved family member."
Judge Alberto Milian condemned Piedrahita's actions as "cold-blooded, brutal murder" and an "outrageous abuse" of gun rights, WTVJ-TV reported.
"That day my children were introduced to a level of evil no human being should ever have to comprehend. All because of the selfish actions of a selfish monster who intentionally targeted Alex," Iris Kennedy, the victim's ex, said while delivering her victim impact statement during Thursday's sentencing.
Piedrahita and Palencia were involved in a verbal altercation days before the situation resulted in physical violence. Piedrahita – who posted an angry rant on Facebook about Palencia before the deadly shooting – argued his actions were in self-defense, according to the outlet.
