Larry Mendonca

But now, for four months... uncertainty because the judge had the power to sentence Darren to anything from 10 years in prison to probation. What I foresee at sentencing, they're going to ask for leniency. Do you think he could actually avoid going to prison altogether?

But now, for four months... uncertainty because the judge had the power to sentence Darren to anything from 10 years in prison to probation. What I foresee at sentencing, they're going to ask for leniency. Do you think he could actually avoid going to prison altogether?

On May 30th, 2018, we were back outside the courthouse with Larry Mendonca. This time, he was the one surrounded by supporters. A 12-year investigation, now reduced to just an hour in court, that felt as stressful and tense as any jury trial. Would Darren be carted off to prison? Or would the judge give him probation and send him home?

On May 30th, 2018, we were back outside the courthouse with Larry Mendonca. This time, he was the one surrounded by supporters. A 12-year investigation, now reduced to just an hour in court, that felt as stressful and tense as any jury trial. Would Darren be carted off to prison? Or would the judge give him probation and send him home?

Darren's lawyer, Michael Green, reminded the judge there had been an alternate suspect.

Darren's lawyer, Michael Green, reminded the judge there had been an alternate suspect.

Then he told the judge to remember this was not a murder case.

Then he told the judge to remember this was not a murder case.

And then Larry got his chance, finally, to let 12 years of pain pour out, starting with that first awful night when he broke the news to Toshi.

And then Larry got his chance, finally, to let 12 years of pain pour out, starting with that first awful night when he broke the news to Toshi.

Darren stoically sat through it all. And then, what sentence would the judge impose? She began by quoting Darren's attorney.

Darren stoically sat through it all. And then, what sentence would the judge impose? She began by quoting Darren's attorney.

And Larry's stomach started to tighten. And my lawyer reached over and she says, this doesn't sound good. And then, six minutes into her ruling, finally, here it was.

And Larry's stomach started to tighten. And my lawyer reached over and she says, this doesn't sound good. And then, six minutes into her ruling, finally, here it was.

Ten years. The maximum she could oppose. And with that, the Mendonca family's 12-year quest for justice came to an end.

Ten years. The maximum she could oppose. And with that, the Mendonca family's 12-year quest for justice came to an end.

Larry and Toshi follow a series of rituals on the anniversary of Sandra's death. They bring flowers to her memorial outside the YWCA, have lunch at the Beach House restaurant where Sandra once worked, and they pray by her graveside at Holy Cross Cemetery, where she is surrounded by her ancestors. Sandra, so homesick when away from this island she loved, is now forever a part of it.

Larry and Toshi follow a series of rituals on the anniversary of Sandra's death. They bring flowers to her memorial outside the YWCA, have lunch at the Beach House restaurant where Sandra once worked, and they pray by her graveside at Holy Cross Cemetery, where she is surrounded by her ancestors. Sandra, so homesick when away from this island she loved, is now forever a part of it.