The man charged in the killing of a Rockingham County couple entered a guilty plea Friday morning.
SENTENCING
Jose Alvarez, Jr., who faced charges in the murders of Troy and LaDonna French, entered guilty pleas to two counts of first-degree murder. The judge accepted Alvarez's plea, and said Alvarez will serve two consecutive life sentences. Alvarez pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal, which helped him avoid the death penalty.
"Mr. Alvarez, you will die in prison," the judge said as he announced his decision.
Alvarez issued an apology before learning his fate.
"I just want to say that I regret what happened," he said. "And, if I could take it back, I would, change something I would, and all I can say is that I'm sorry."
During the sentencing hearing, family members addressed Alvarez directly.
"I'm glad you're not getting the death penalty," said one family member. "And, I'm glad you're going to rot in jail, and I hope you rot in hell."
Another said, "I will forgive you, eventually, but at this time, I really hope you experience torment and torture."
VISITS TO FRENCH HOME
In court Friday, District Attorney Craig Blitzer recounted details of the murders, including what Alvarez did to get into the French family's home.
Blitzer said Alvarez frequently visited the French home, when no one was there -- and sometimes when they were sleeping -- to look around. Blitzer said Alvarez liked the smell of the house, the layout, and some of the things the family kept inside.
Alvarez's attorney admitted his client gained access to the home by using a copy of a spare key. The attorney said Alvarez saw the French's daughter Whitley's address on her license one day, and used that to find the family's house.
While at the house, he found the spare key under a deck and made his own copy.
For the next 6 or 7 months, Alvarez used the key to enter the family's home several times. His attorney said most of the visits happened between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.
On Feb. 4, 2012 -- the morning of the shooting -- Whitley French woke up to Alvarez in her room. The DA said French screamed, and Alvarez tried to quiet her by covering her mouth. At some point, Alvarez used a knife to cut French's arm. Blitzer said, once Alvarez realized French wouldn't stop screaming, he ran to the staircase, and Troy and LaDonna French were awake and waiting at the bottom.
At that point, Blitzer said, Alvarez put away the knife -- cutting himself in the process -- and pulled out a 9mm handgun he'd stolen from the family, during one of his visits. He used the gun to shoot and kill Troy and LaDonna French.
Blitzer said Alvarez's only motive in the case was simply to escape the French's house, and the parents stood between him and the door.
ALVAREZ CONFESSION
The district attorney said investigators found there was a familial match between blood found in the French's home and Alvarez's brother.
Alvarez and his father voluntarily gave blood samples. And later, investigators were able to use that DNA to link Alvarez to the crime.
Alvarez's lawyer told the court his client made a full confession to him, after large amounts of his DNA were discovered at the scene.
"In a news conference, in this very room a few years ago, I said 'you can run, but you cannot hide from your DNA,'" said Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, in a Friday news conference. "Your DNA is your DNA, and that promise rang true."
LAWYER CLAIMS MENTAL DISORDER
His lawyer also said Alvarez was evaluated by a neuro-psychologist. The psychologist said Alvarez suffers from severe anxiety and never planned to harm anyone, or take anything, during his visits to the house. Still, the defense said Alvarez could not use an insanity defense because he knew what he was doing at the time of the shooting.
ALVAREZ ARREST
Alvarez, Jr. was arrested in August 2015, more than three years after investigators said he shot and killed the couple in their home.
ALVAREZ'S CONNECTION TO FRENCH FAMILY
Alvarez, Jr. is the brother-in-law of Whitley French Alvarez, the daughter of Troy and LaDonna. She was the only witness to their murders.
Stay connected 24/7 via WFMY News 2
Get the WFMY News 2 App and the WFMY News 2 Weather App free in the Apple store.
For News Tips: news@wfmy.com or 336-379-9316
Pictures and Videos: myphotos@wfmy.com