A drifter convicted of strangling a New York City college student while watching a horror movie will spend at least a quarter-century behind bars.
Jeromie Cancel (jehr-uh-MEE' kan-SEL') smirked, lolled in his chair and finally applauded as he was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison.
Anguished and angry relatives of victim Kevin Pravia (PRAH'-vee-uh) denounced Cancel as a "monster." Some berated him from the Manhattan courtroom audience.
Cancel's lawyer noted that the 24-year-old has a history of psychological problems.
Cancel was convicted last month of murdering Pravia in August 2008. They crossed paths as Pravia headed home from a night out.
Pravia was a 19-year-old Pace University sophomore from Peru, Mass.
Copyright 2010 AP News
