The man convicted of murdering Chris Bagley just over three years ago will now effectively serve the rest of his life in prison.

Drew Blahnik will serve at least 42 years. Judge Christopher Bruns had little discretion in sentencing Blahnik on his second-degree murder charge, which carries a mandatory minimum of 35 years. The judge ordered Blahnik serve up to 50 years on that charge and seven years for two other charges, making his possible sentence 57 years. He could get less time for good behavior or work programs.

Blahnik waved to his family, who filled one half of a packed courtroom, as he was led out to serve that sentence Friday. He held on to his claim of self-defense or defense of others.

“I would like to apologize for everything that happened after I killed Chris," he said when given the opportunity to make a statement. "You see, Chris made his choice that night to pull that gun and in doing so, he paid the ultimate consequence. And for that I cannot and will not apologize for following one of life’s most basic instincts: survival.”

Bagley's family, going off video evidence presented at trial and testimony from state's witnesses, say Blahnik hunted down Chris the night of December 14, 2018.

“Because of the coward, this is all I have left of Chris," says Stewart Bagley, as he points to a photo of his son on the front of his shirt. "Pictures, pictures, a cross with his ashes in it, and this small thing with his ashes in it. That’s all I have left of my son because of you.”

The Bagley's and prosecutors say the murder was a revenge hit, called by Andrew Shaw after Bagley robbed and assaulted him. Shaw has not been charged in Bagley's murder. Two other men, Drew Wagner and Paul Hoff, both took plea agreements for their roles in the killing.

Whatever the motive, it doesn't change what's been lost by families and friends on both sides.

For the Bagley's that's a son and brother.

“I see Chris in my dreams," his mother Christine says. "One dream that stands out was the night I heard his voice, which was December 6th, a week ago. Telling me, ‘Mom, let it go. Let it go.’”

A father.

“When he met his kids for the first time," wife Courtney says, holding up two pictures of Chris grinning down at swaddled babies.

She showed pictures of Chris enjoying birthdays and a picture of his kids at his gravestone.

“That’s how they see their dad now," she says to Blahnik. "They see him at a cemetery.”

Chris' brother Johnny, in a letter read by his wife, says, “I hope God forgives you because I never will.”

Defense attorney Leon Spies made hints in the courtroom that they plan to appeal.