City Grill killer sentenced to life without parole

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - City Grill killer Riccardo McCray learned his fate, in Erie County Court Thursday. 

McCray was sentenced to life in prison, without parole.

Erie County Court Judge Sheila DiTullio called McCray "a murderer and a thug."

  >>  See News 4's exclusive interview with Riccardo McCray

It's been two months since a jury found the man known on the street as "Murder" guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in the shootings outside the City Grill last August.

Before learning his sentence, McCray said “My heart goes out to all the families. I’m not the shooter and God knows I’m not the shooter, that’s all that matters to me.”

Immediately before delivering McCray’s sentence Judge DiTullio spent time talking about each individual victim, and she thanked their family members for sending photos and information about the victims. She said she shared the information about the victims, "because a human life is worth that and so much more."

  >>  The victims' family members spoke out in court Thursday

Defense Attorney Joseph Terranova is seeking an appeal. Terranova said that McCray continues to maintain his innocence, and says that McCray and other witnesses know who the real shooter is.

Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita is satisfied that they got the right guy, noting that there were five eye witnesses, four who knew McCray personally who all testified that it was him.