Jefferson Woman's Killer: Please Forgive Me

Demetrius Diaz-Bridges believes he has God’s forgiveness for . Now he would like the forgiveness of her family, including her sons, whom he once considered his friends.

“I am sorry,” Diaz-Bridges said as he spoke on his own behalf at the sentencing hearing on Friday. “Whether it’s today, tomorrow, 20 or 30 years from now, I hope you guys forgive me. I know God has. I apologize. I messed up.”

Diaz-Bridges was sentenced to 40 years in prison, of which he will have to serve 85 percent before he is eligible for parole.

He maintained O’Brien provoked him because the two fought when he was unable to provide her drugs. He admitted to pushing her during the argument and then hitting her in the head and body several times with a dumbbell after she had already blacked out for a short period.

Judge Robert Mega, in imposing the sentence, said Diaz-Bridges could have called and gotten help after O’Brien hit her head the first time, but instead, chose to beat her until she died.

Diaz-Bridges’ grandmother, Linda Diaz, said her heart breaks for the family of the victim.

“My prayers will always be with them, and with my grandson,” Diaz said. “I love him very much and I am going to stand by him. I know he would like the family’s forgiveness.”