ing? You are never going to get out of here. 

Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Zawistowski described the moment Daniel rejected the plea offer on March 24, 2025:  When the defendant walked through those cell doors, he quickly fired his attorney, turned to me with a smile on his face, and expressed a desire to go to trial. 

Daniel took the stand in his own defense, but the jury saw through his  invented defense of amnesia,  Zawistowski said.

 Since the date of the murders, this defendant has consistently portrayed himself as a victim,  he said.

Relatives of each of the victims packed the courtroom, sobbing as they called on the judge to lock Daniel away forever.

 Some of them, I know, would like to spend a minute with you,  Holder said.

Petula Thomas, Wayne Thomas' sister, described how their mother frantically tried to reach her the day of the killing.  Unbeknownst to us,  she said,  Wayne and the others were not just killed but mercilessly slaughtered. 

 He deserves nothing less than a life sentence without the possibility of parole, never again to enjoy the seasons of life,  she said.  The tremendous pain, grief and devastation felt by the loss of Wayne is further compound by the fact that his death was so tragic, and came at the hands of a demonic, self-centered, insecure and cold-hearted narcissist. 

She added, pounding a table as she spoke,  Let me remind you… a greater judgement is coming. 

Charlene McKenzie, Sweeney's daughter, said,  No apology will bring my mother back. No explanation will justify what you did…. If you are looking for any forgiveness from me, you will not find it. 

Most of the victims' families turned their backs and left the courtroom as Daniel made a statement to the court, apologizing but never admitting to the specifics of his bloody spree, describing it as  a sad sad situation  and saying it  shouldn't have occurred. 

 The person who did it at this moment doesn't represent me,  he said.

Daniel waxed spiritual. But the handful of family members who stayed in the room were unmoved by his words.

 Before I go, everyone just try to remember that God knows best and he will take care of everything,  he said.

 Initially, I was so hurt, so upset. And after days, years… it will take me a while to recuperate. Just leave everything to God, and God will take care of you. 

The judge told Daniel his murderous actions destroyed lives beyond the three victims.  You've interrupted generational growth,  Holder said.  You've altered life plans. You've sent people into depression. 

 But you know what?  he went on.  In the end, you got the trial you asked for, and what did we learn? We learned that there's absolutely nothing in your testimony that justifies the killing of any of these three people. 

Queens D.A. Melinda Katz said outside the courtroom,  Everyone, according to our justice system, has a right to a trial. He wanted the trial. He wanted everything to come out, and it did…. He's going to now have a long time to think about the families that he affected, and the damage that he did.