PHOTO VIA ROBBIE RISSMAN/KCCI NEWS — Rocky Trujillo III, pictured, enters the courtroom at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum before his sentencing hearing on Friday morning. Trujillo will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole for shooting and killing 48-year-old Casey’s employee Michael West on Feb. 15, 2021.

The Marshalltown man who was convicted of shooting and killing 48-year-old Casey’s employee Michael West during an attempted robbery of the North 3rd Avenue convenience store on Feb. 15, 2021, will serve a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole after a sentencing hearing at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Friday morning.

Rocky Dean Trujillo III, 23, appeared before Judge John Haney with his attorney, Taylor Reichardt, and Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney represented the state in the matter. Haney first addressed the defense’s motions for a new trial and an arrest of judgment, denying both and reiterating that there was “no indication of anything other than a full and fair trial” before Trujillo was convicted on five total counts — first degree murder, two counts of first degree robbery, going armed with intent and assault while participating in a felony — back in April.

Norma Collins, Mr. West’s maternal aunt, then read a victim impact statement written by West’s mother in front of the court in which she mourned the “huge void” left in her life by the loss of her son. West’s mother also wrote that the tragedy has led her to seek counseling and therapy, but her faith has kept her strong through an incredibly trying period.

“I still to this day repeatedly ask myself why,” Collins said as she read her sister’s statement. “This is something that affects me on a daily basis.”

She went on to criticize the defense’s argument that nothing of value was taken during the attempted robbery as “insulting” because she felt it discounted her son’s life, and she hoped the end of the long ordeal — with sentencing occurring nearly 2 ½ years after the initial crime was committed — would bring closure for West’s family, including the eight children he left behind.

Gaffney also made a statement and urged the judge to impose the maximum possible sentence due to the severity of the offense and Trujillo’s lack of remorse for his actions. In addition to West, he remembered the two other individuals the defendant assaulted in the process of committing the robbery that night.

“There’s no giving back what Rocky Trujillo took away on Feb. 15, 2021,” Gaffney said. “This didn’t have to happen. None of these things had to happen… This community deserves better.”

As Reichardt conceded that Iowa law leaves no wiggle room on sentences for individuals convicted of first degree murder, the only point of contention between the two sides was the defense asking for the sentences on the other offenses to run concurrently rather than consecutively, which the prosecution favored.

Trujillo opted not to make a statement on his own behalf, and after considering “all of the factors,” Haney imposed a sentence of life without parole and $150,000 in restitution required to be paid to West’s estate, up to 25 years for each count of armed robbery and a requirement to serve at least 70 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole, up to five years for going armed with intent (with the $1,025 fine and 15 percent surcharge suspended) and up to five years for assault while participating in a felony with a $1,025 fine and a 15 percent surcharge. The sentences will run consecutively.

Haney acknowledged the “long road” to trial in the case but added that he hoped the verdict would give West’s family closure. Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, who attended the sentencing hearing, offered his thoughts on the outcome.

“We still grieve with the West family and everyone impacted by this tragedy. Michael West is gone forever. He was trying to earn an honest living when his life was stolen from him. We will continue to stand with Mr. West’s family and friends. He will not be forgotten,” Tupper said. “I appreciate the exceptional work put in by our law enforcement team, the state police, victim advocates, and the prosecutors assigned to this case. Thanks directly to their hard work and commitment to their professions, justice has finally been served. These public servants have my admiration, respect and deep appreciation.”

In a subsequent statement, Gaffney expressed a similar sentiment.

“I am extremely grateful for and proud of everyone on the investigation, prosecution, and victim services team. This was a team effort. I am also thankful to the City of Marshalltown for their hospitality in providing space and service at the Coliseum for court hearings,” he said.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office was ordered to transport Trujillo to the Iowa Medical Classification Center at Oakdale before he begins his prison sentence.