The last person convicted in the murder of a Spencer man was sentenced to maximum of 50 years in prison today in Clay County District Court. Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez was sentenced in the killing of then 15-year-old Gregory "Sky" Erickson 11 years ago in a Jackson County, Minnesota farmhouse. Castillo-Alverez was sentenced for convictions on charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forceable felony.
Erickson’s mother Joni Ketter read a victim impact statement before the sentencing. Ketter says a stranger will never know the pain, loss and emptiness she feels on every holiday, birthday and anniversary of her son’s death. Ketter says this verdict will not put an end to those feelings of loss. She says it will not bring, closure, but is simply another piece of the judicial puzzle.
Castillo-Alvarez was sentenced to 50 years for second-degree murder and 25 years on the kidnapping charge. State prosecuting attorney Charles Thoman, and those associated with Erickson, were looking for the sentences to be served consecutively, but Judge Don Courtney ruled otherwise.
Courtney ruled the sentences will run concurrent to each other, or at the same time. Castillo-Alvarez may appeal his case to the Iowa Supreme Court within 30 days. His attorney Michael Williams says that his client will file an appeal.