Sixteen years ago, Jason Cannon was killed at Pleasant Valley State Prison. His cellmate and killer, Marcus Faulk, has yet to be sentenced after pleading "no contest."
Mr. Faulk's sentencing was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was delayed as his request for a new attorney was granted.
The victim's family tells Action News they're devastated, this only prolongs their grief, unable to put this chapter behind them.
"Jason's passing has left an unfillable void in our lives for 16 years. I've grappled with the loss of my only brother, and the pain remains unbearable," says Jodee Ritter, Cannon's sister.
In court on Wednesday, Faulk sat, mostly looking at the ground. He's accused of killing his cellmate Jason Cannon with a prison made weapon at Pleasant Valley State Prison back in 2009.
Cannon's family was also in the courtroom, anxiously awaiting a final sentence they will not yet receive.
"We'd be asking to trail this matter for one week," says the defendant's new attorney.
"Your honor, this is just another game being played by the defendant to prolong his sentencing. For family members, here, they've been waiting roughly 16 years for justice," says Cannon family attorney.
Though the request was granted, the judge allowed the Cannon family to read their impact statements as originally scheduled.
"I'm glad for this to be over. Finally, I could forget you and start remembering my uncle's beautiful smile and all the silly awesome memories we have together," says Sarah Cannon, Cannon's niece.
The case has been delayed since the beginning. Charges weren't filed until 2019 -- that's 10 years after Cannon's death.
Then, it took five years to get to trial. Part of the delay was due to the death of Deputy Sheriff Joel Wahlenmaier, who was in charge of the investigation. He was killed in the line of duty in an ambush in Minkler.
The first trial ended about a year ago with a hung jury.
Action News spoke exclusively with Cannon's sister, who says the constant delays have been agonizing for their family.
"It's ridiculous. There's no reason for it. He admitted to killing my brother last summer in trial. It's a cut and dry case. Why can't they just sentence him," says Ritter.
"It's a pretty devastating loss. It was unnecessary. I hope he gets maxed out," says Ritter.
Faulk is set to be back in court next week on October 29.