A judge gave Pedro Garcia credit for testifying against his co-defendant.
HACKENSACK -- A judge on Thursday sentenced Pedro Garcia to 60 years in prison for killing and dismembering Francisco Gonzalez Fuentes in 2011.
Garcia, along with co-defendant Wilfredo Sanchez, beat Fuentes, stabbed him and worked for four hours to dismember his body before placing his remains in garbage bags and taking them to the curb, Bergen County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Grootenboer said.
"Now I know what the heart of darkness is like, because it was possessed by these two men," Grootenboer said at Garcia's sentencing.
Garcia and Fuentes were a couple who lived together in Cliffside Park, Grootenboer said, calling it the latest case dealing with "the scourge of domestic violence." Garcia said while testifying that he felt "rage" because Fuentes was open about his sexuality.
Garcia, 38, could have faced life, but Grootenboer and Judge Susan Steele acknowledged Garcia's cooperation in the conviction of Sanchez. Even after a jury found Garcia guilty of murder in 2013, he agreed to testify against Sanchez, who denied any role in the killing. Sanchez received a life sentence in 2014.
Sanchez sentenced to life in prison
"Without the conviction of Pedro Garcia it would have been very difficult for the state to obtain a conviction against Wilfredo Sanchez," Grootenboer said.
Fuentes' sister and brother each spoke through a Spanish translator at the sentencing. Fabian Gonzalez said his family had suffered "incomparable harm."
"Your honor I hope you take us into consideration," he said. "So that he pays for what he did to my brother."
Dora Fuentes first called the police when she smelled blood in her brother's apartment. While parts of Fuentes were buried in America, and others were sent to El Salvador, some of his remains are still unaccounted for.
"I hope that wherever my brother is with God that he is satisfied, because justice will be done," she said, before becoming overcome with emotion. "I can't anymore."
Garcia will get credit for 1,907 days served in Bergen County Jail. He must serve 85 percent of his term before becoming eligible for parole.
His attorney Robert M. Kalisch, assistant deputy public defender for Bergen County, said the case was repeatedly delayed because of his own schedule and that of Wayne Mello, the original prosecutor on the case.
Garcia will appeal, Kalisch said, on the grounds that the jury never had the opportunity to consider lesser homicide charges than murder, like aggravated manslaughter and manslaughter. However, Garcia knew he would get a long sentence.
Stelle read a letter from Garcia, dated March 28, apologizing to Fuentes' family, his own family and to society and asking for mercy.
"I would like your honor to know that I am truly remorseful of ending Francisco's life," he wrote. "In my wildest dreams I would have never thought that I was capable of such a monstrous crime."
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.