Justice Delivered: East LA Triple Murderer Sentenced to 150 Years to Life as Victims' Families Share Heartbreaking Tributes

In a solemn and profoundly emotional courtroom session at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Jose Roberto Andrade, a 29-year-old East Los Angeles resident, was handed a sentence of 150 years to life in state prison. The judgment closes a horrific chapter for the families of Carlos Lopez, 36, Adrian Cedillo, 34, and Armando Robles, 33, who were brutally murdered during a gathering in April 2021.

The devastating incident unfolded on April 11, 2021, in the 400 block of North Brannick Avenue.

During what was meant to be a simple gathering, an altercation erupted, culminating in Andrade senselessly opening fire, taking the lives of three men. The swift and brutal nature of the crime sent shockwaves through the community and left an indelible scar on the victims' loved ones.

After a rigorous legal battle, a jury delivered justice on January 12, convicting Andrade on three counts of first-degree murder.

Special allegations of multiple murders and the use of a firearm were also found true, solidifying the gravity of his heinous acts and paving the way for the substantial sentence delivered by the court. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Bae meticulously prosecuted the case, ensuring that the full weight of the law was brought to bear on the defendant.

The sentencing hearing was dominated by heart-wrenching victim impact statements, where the profound grief and enduring pain of the families reverberated throughout the courtroom.

Adrian Cedillo's sister bravely articulated the depth of their loss, stating, "No words can describe how I felt." She spoke of an "empty hole in my heart" that Andrade's actions had torn open, a wound that time may never fully heal.

Carlos Lopez's mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, faced Andrade directly, labeling him a "monster" and expressing disbelief at his callous decision to "just decide to kill three men." Her words underscored the incomprehensible nature of the violence and the deep-seated anger at the man who robbed her of her son.

Despite her anguish, she found a glimmer of solace in the court's decision, declaring that "justice was served."

The voice of Armando Robles' grieving wife was read aloud by the prosecutor, painting a poignant picture of a loving father and devoted husband whose absence has created an unfathomable void.

Her statement detailed the daily struggles of their children, who constantly miss their father's presence, and the profound impact his murder has had on every aspect of their lives. It was a stark reminder that the crime extended far beyond the three victims, shattering an entire family's future.

Throughout these raw and emotional testimonies, Jose Roberto Andrade remained impassive, displaying no visible emotion.

His stoic demeanor only amplified the families' suffering, a chilling testament to the detachment with which he carried out his crimes.

While no judicial sentence can ever truly compensate for the lives lost or mend the shattered hearts of those left behind, the 150-year to life sentence sends a clear message.

It ensures that Jose Roberto Andrade will spend the remainder of his days behind bars, unable to inflict further harm, and offers the victims' families a measure of closure, knowing that their loved ones' killer will face the consequences of his unfathomable actions.