In a highly anticipated court hearing, convicted killer Brian Smith received his sentencing on Friday morning for the brutal murders of 30-year-old Kathleen Jo Henry and 53-year-old Veronica Abouchuk. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Kevin Saxby handed down two life sentences, along with a staggering additional 226 years behind bars, effectively ensuring that Smith will spend the remainder of his life in prison.

Judge Saxby stated that he firmly believed releasing Smith would pose a serious threat to society, remarking, "It's clear to me that if he's released, he'll probably kill again." Smith's extensive list of convictions warranted the lengthy sentence, which effectively guarantees that he will never walk free.

The courtroom was filled with heartbroken family members of the victims, their faces adorned with red handprints, a powerful symbol representing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. Both Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuk were Alaska Native women, amplifying the urgency for justice and accountability.

To honor the victims' memories and restore their personhood, Judge Saxby emphasized the importance of using their full names instead of initials during the sentencing. This small gesture sought to acknowledge the profound loss experienced by their loved ones.

The high-profile nature of the case stemmed from the discovery of a memory card labeled "Homicide at midtown Marriott." Found by a good Samaritan near an Anchorage Carrs store, this crucial evidence ignited much debate and challenged the credibility of Valerie Casler, the woman who handed it over to the police.

Details revealed during the trial painted a horrifying picture of the crimes committed by Smith. Henry was killed in an Anchorage hotel room in September 2019, with the jury being shown graphic and disturbing video footage of her death. Her skeletal remains were later discovered by Alaska Railroad employees near the Seward Highway. Veronica Abouchuk's remains, limited to her skull with a fatal gunshot wound, were found along the Old Glenn Highway by mushroom hunters.

During the sentencing, the only person to address the court was Kristy Grimaldi, Veronica Abouchuk's daughter. With poignant and poetic words, Grimaldi vowed to keep her mother's love alive and vowed to dance on the day of Smith's death. Her emotional testimony brought the courtroom to tears, reflecting the immense pain and loss endured by the victims' families.

Smith's defense attorney, Timothy Ayers, argued for a significantly lesser sentence of 132 years and two days, with three years suspended and probation for a decade. Ayers highlighted the weaknesses in the evidence presented during the trial, hoping to shape the court's interpretation in Smith's favor. However, Judge Saxby ultimately dismissed the defense's plea, deeming Smith's crimes as deserving of harsh retribution.

District Attorney Brittany Dunlop, clad in a striking red skirt and jacket, firmly denounced Smith as "pure evil" and stressed that he should never be allowed to walk among society again.

When given the opportunity to speak, Smith declined, simply stating, "It's better if I don't say anything." This silence, in the face of the overwhelming evidence against him, only reinforced the gravity of his crimes.

The trial, which lasted a month, included chilling testimony, text messages, and jail conversations that implicated Smith in the murders. Prosecutors presented a brief video allegedly showing Smith naked, leaning over an unconscious woman on a red couch, believed to be Abouchuk. Smith contested the accusation, disputing the woman's identity in the footage.

As the sentencing reached its conclusion in less than two hours, the court was filled with mixed emotions. Jury members, who had witnessed hours of disturbing violence, expressed a sense of justice served, while also acknowledging the need for therapeutic support to cope with the aftermath.

In a departure from typical offerings of comfort to victim's families, Judge Saxby admitted his struggle to find adequate words, expressing his profound regret, saying, "I can't think of any words of encouragement. I'm sorry."

Brian Smith's sentencing underscores the severity and consequences of his heinous crimes, providing a sense of closure and justice for Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuk's grieving loved ones.