Family happy to see monster behind bars

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A judge shows no mercy on a man described by prosecutors as a monster who preyed on women.

The victims' families found justice.

Carol Carter, the sister of the victim, said, "He will not be out to hurt anybody else or cause this pain to another family."

Carter and five children of 76-year-old Marlene Johnson say they're pleased with the sentence a judge handed down to her murderer. 46-year-old Earl Gill will spend the next 40 years behind bars for raping and murdering Johnson in her Buffalo home last February and for raping another woman three years ago in a downtown hotel.

"The defendant is a dangerous sexual predator, murderer, and deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail," said prosecutor Thomas Finnerty.

Gill says he only intended to burglarize Johnson's home.

State Supreme Court Justice Judge M. William Boller said, "I understand if you're hooked on drugs you would perhaps break into someone's home. What I do not understand is why you carried it further and put a plastic bag and duct taped the victim, a 76-year-old victim."

Judge Boller said Gill is lucky he committed his crimes in this state.

"I want you to know what you did in the state of New York would be probably handled differently in some of our other states. Do you know what I mean?," said Judge Boller.

That 40 year sentence likely means he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

"It is my belief that my client is truly remorseful for his actions and accepts responsibility for those and accepts the punishment that has been negotiated and will be imposed by the court," said defense attorney Kevin Spitler.

Johnson's family says if Gill lives to see a parole board, they too will be there in four decades to fight his release.