A case that’s been ongoing for 28 years is now closed -- Pedro Miranda has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1987 murder of a 13-year-old Hartford girl, Mayra Cruz.
Miranda, who is now 57-years-old, was already serving a life sentence for the murder of 17-year-old Carmen Lopez in 1988.
Rosa Valentin’s 1986 murder case was nollied because there was not enough evidence to prove him guilty.
All three families were represented in court on Thursday, but only the Cruz and Valentin families gave victim impact statements. They said they’ve been waiting for this day nearly 30 years.
Cruz’s mother, Norma Cruz, read her victim statement aloud in Spanish. A translator said:
“In reality, we will not have a final closing but we will be able to live with more inter-piece and we will focus on a more peaceful today,” Said Norma Cruz.
Cruz’s body was found in East Windsor back in 2008, but Valentin’s was never found. That is why the state said they do not have enough evidence to convict Miranda of her murder. While her case was nollied, family members begged to release where her remains were found.
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“We wish one day you have the courage to tell us where you disposed of her body,” Said Goudellia Valentin, Valentin’s sister.
Another man, Miguel Roman, spent 20 years in prison for the murder of Lopez until investigators arrested Miranda in December 2008.
“You no longer control us, we are free of you,” Said Matthew Oaks during his victim statement. He is a childhood friend of Cruz.
Family and friends of the victims say the pain will never go away, but knowing Miranda will forever be in prison gives them peace of mind.
