A Buffalo man will spend a decade behind bars for killing his girlfriend's baby back in 2010. Time Warner Cable News reporter Kaitlyn Lionti was in court as the mother of James Velazquez explained the trauma of losing her little boy at the hands of someone she trusted.
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Her son was killed on May 3, 2010 and Thursday, Erica Velazquez spoke about the painful loss as someone she once trusted awaited sentencing in his death.
"My life was shattered. I lost my son James, only 13 months. He was taken from me and my family," said Velazquez. She said she even tried to take her own life, "I couldn't eat or sleep, I didn't want to leave the house. I missed work for about two months to grieve, but that wasn't enough in my eyes. To this day, I still grieve."
Velazquez's boyfriend at the time of James' death, Raymond Gonzalez, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter in August.
He was arrested nearly five years after the crime, once Buffalo detectives were able to get information the Acting District Attorney Michael Flaherty says wasn't available in 2010.
"They were able to, among other things, use the defendant's own words against him as he eliminated any other suspect," said Flaherty.
Reading from court documents, Justice Penny Wolfgang said James suffered multiple blunt force traumas and brain swelling after being left alone with Gonzalez.
But he claims he's innocent.
"With all due respect, being falsely accused and convicted is totally unfair and undeserved. I refuse to let this define me or portray me as something or somebody I'm not," said Gonzalez. "I wouldn't be standing here right now if it wasn't for the detective and his motive making something out of nothing."
"His eleventh hour protests are just that. Worthless," said Flaherty.
Gonzalez was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
While she finally has some closure, Velazquez says she prays no one else ever has to go through this.