Judge to sentence Larry Millete Monday for murdering his wife Maya

On Monday afternoon, Larry Millete will likely learn his fate. San Diego County Judge Enrique Camarena is expected to hand down a prison sentence that could send the Chula Vista father away for the rest of his life.

In July, a jury found Millete guilty of first degree murder in the disappearance of his wife Maya. The decision came more than five years after the mother of three walked into her San Miguel Ranch home and was never seen or heard from again.

The only thing that stands in the way of sentencing is a motion from the defense requesting a new trial. In the defense’s sentencing brief, Millete’s attorneys argued that he didn’t receive a fair trial because jurors were biased against him.

They contend that based on interviews jurors gave with multiple media outlets following the verdict. Sentencing had initially been scheduled much sooner, but was pushed back as attorneys sent out subpoenas to get video of those interviews.

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If that motion is denied, the court will allow Maya’s loved ones to deliver impact statements. Some of those statements were included in pre-sentencing court filings.

In his statement, Maya’s brother Jay-R Tabalanza wrote, in part, “I ask this court to give Maya the justice she deserves and the only acceptable justice for me. Please give our family the assurance that Larry will never walk out of prison or even have the chance to. I humbly ask you your Honor to give Larry a life sentence without any possibility of parole.”

Maya’s sister Jane Fetalvero wrote, “Her children need their Mom, and you took it away from them…It is Maya’s children…that lost a chance to have a mother. You don’t deserve to be called their dad, you don’t deserve to be free, because you kept our sister Maya, a prisoner.” 

Maya’s sister-in-law Genesis Tabalanza pleaded for Millete to reveal where Maya’s body is hidden. In her statement, she wrote, “It is still not too late to do what is right. You can still tell us where May is. Do this for your children, so that they can finally have peace — the peace of knowing that their mother never abandoned them.”

First-degree murder carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. It will be up to the judge to decide if MIllete will be allowed to be paroled after serving a minimum of 25 years. Millete will also sentenced to an unrelated gun charge he pleaded guilty to, which could tack on an additional three years.

Since Millete has been locked up five years, that will count as time served.

We’ll be inside the courtroom to bring you full coverage of what happens. This web article will be updated and we’ll deliver the latest information on NBC 7.