A Fulton County man was sentenced Thursday morning to 40 years to life in prison after being convicted of killing 21-year-old Michaela MacVilla of Saint Johnsville. A jury found Daniel Nellis guilty of all charges, thanks in part to surveillance footage.

It's been a long road for MacVilla's family after she first went missing nearly a year ago. While it's been an emotional journey, the family says Thursday brought them justice.

"We are very happy as a family that he’ll never come out,” said Cora Murray, Michaela’s aunt.

Daniel Nellis was sentenced 40 years to life for shooting and killing of 21-year-old MacVilla. She died of a gunshot wound to the head.

"Nothing I'm going to sentence you to is going to be enough for your despicable acts," said the judge who sentenced Nellis.

Nellis was found guilty by a jury back in June and convicted of second-degree murder and weapons charges. MacVilla was first reported missing after she never returned home from her shift at Stewart’s. 

Jurors watched video showing Nellis pick up MacVilla as she walked home from her shift at Stewart's. The video also showed MacVilla leaving Nellis’ home 12 hours later, and Nellis’ car driving up an access road to where her body was found. After a week long search, MacVilla's body was found in a field in Oppenheim.  

District Attorney Chad Brown says technology guided this case, and cell phone data is what brought investigators to Nellis. That timeline is what jurors say convinced them of Nellis’ involvement.

Tears flowed as a letter written by MacVilla’s family was read to Nellis. Her parents and sister were absent from the courtroom, but her grandmother looked him straight in the eye as she said her piece. 

"Let me be the first to welcome you to your new life,” said Jannie Carey, Michaela's grandmother. "There were things I wanted to do and say that aren't fit for human ears, but I believe in the justice system and they did a wonderful job.”

Nellis also shed tears as he continued to maintain his innocence. He also claimed his rights were violated and said jurors were asleep during the trial. 

"We will never give up for finding the truth no matter the cause," Nellis said.

“In a certain [way], he believes what he spewed out in court, but it makes no difference,” Murray said.

And for a final time, those supporting Michaela came together wearing blue, her favorite color

“This is for Michaela, it’s always been for her,” Carey said.

And while her family’s ready to heal, they say they will never forgive.  

“I'm an ordained minister and we teach and reach forgiveness, but it's so hard to be in these shoes because my granddaughter's never coming home,” Carey said.

Nellis's lawyers say they are planning to file an appeal, but the prosecution says they don't believe it will hold up. 

To read our previous coverage of Michaela MacVilla click here.