2 men receive 3 life sentences for 2020 murder of 3 Visalia teens

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Three terms of life without the possibility of parole.

That's the ruling for 24-year-olds Cesar Lopez and Mark Aceves for their involvement in the deaths of Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, Isaiah Rule, and Blake Mederios.

"The sentence for murder was special circumstance, that there being two, multiple murder, and murder during the course of a robbery," explains David Alavezos, Chief Deputy at the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.

Jose Carlos, Isaiah and Blake were robbed and then shot to death near Golden West in May of 2020.

Since then, their families have sat through six convictions, giving impact statements seeking justice for their sons.

Thursday's ruling is one step closer.

"It was a weight that was lifted off of, I think, all of our hearts, not just mine, but all of our hearts," says Nicole Rule, Isaiah Rule's Mother.

Ashley Williams, who is Blake Mederios' Mother, continues, "I think it's been long awaited. It's been a really hard journey. It's been exhausting, to say the least."

Through the grief and pain, the fight is still not over.

The families will have to face the alleged shooter, Abraham Molina, in court next year.

"It's heavy in the courtroom, it's heavy in there. There's so much anxiety, emotion, sleepless nights," shares Williams.

Rule says, "There are nights that I'll be at Golden West, crying on the pavement, even though I know my son's not there, but that's where he lies. That was his last night, and I don't know how to be close to him."

Families shared that the teens were best friends, who were kind and loving.

And although no time, words or sentencing could bring their sons back, they are still holding on to faith, "All we could do is just pray that we get justice, and we get the death penalty for Molina," says Rule.

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