Neston Fernandez: Family of 2 hospital workers fatally shot tell killer he will have a 'long, painful death'
DALLAS, TEXAS: Nestor Hernandez, a Texas man, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of two hospital employees in 2022 when he opened fire in the facility as his girlfriend gave birth.
The tragic shooting took place in October 2022 after the 31-year-old whether he was the father of his then-girlfriend's newborn baby, according to Law and Crime.
What are the charges against Nestor Hernandez?
On Thursday, November 9, Criminal District Court Judge Chika Anyiam ordered Hernandez to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the shooting deaths of nurse Katie Annette Flowers and social worker Jacqueline Pokuaa.
A Dallas County jury found the 31-year-old man guilty of capital murder for the hospital shooting.
"At the time this crime occurred, I vowed to see that justice was done, and I am satisfied to say that’s what we’ve accomplished," read Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot's statement.
"I say this knowing that justice is no replacement for these two innocent lives lost, nor does it repair the trauma inflicted on the staff, officers, and other families at the hospital on that tragic day," the statement added.
"However, we have ensured that Mr Hernandez will die in prison," he added.
Nestor Henrandez entered the hospital with a 'plan to kill'
Hernandez who wore a GPS ankle monitor while on parole for aggravated robbery walked into the Methodist Dallas Medical Center and began firing.
"This man was walking resentment, rage, anger with a plan to kill," Creuzot said of the incident on October 22, 2022, in his closing argument.
"And he took all of that into that place where new life, new birth, new hopes, new plans are the only things that are supposed to reside in that tower. And what he took in there was death two times," Creuzot added.
Hernandez admitted in court that he shot and killed the two hospital workers but stated that he did not shoot them on purpose.
He further told the court that he was arguing with his then-girlfriend about whether he was the father of the newborn as she was going to the birth.
At the time, Pokuaa reportedly walked into the room at the facility.
Hernandez who held his handgun in his right hand struck his then-girlfriend with his left hand.
He reportedly stated that the weapon misfired and shot Pokuaa when she tried to stop the attack.
"She got in between us. She yelled, 'Stop.' It all happened. It went real slow," testified Hernandez.
"I panicked. I panicked. I opened up the door, and I shot with my right hand. I shot out the door, boom, boom twice," he said, adding that he was not aware that Flowers stood in the hallway when the gun fired and shot her to death.
Grieving family members read victim impact statements
During the sentencing hearing, family members read victim impact statements.
"You will rot in a prison cell until, hopefully, you have a long, drawn-out, painful death and face the hell you have coming," said one of Flowers’ nieces.
"You will live in a cell where your short, fat self will undoubtedly be made someone else’s special friend where every day, they will have their way with you."
"Unfortunately for them, if the photos of your toddler-sized shoes have anything to say with it, they will be disappointed. Rot in hell," she added.