By DAPHNE DURET
Palm Beach Post
WEST PALM BEACH – A judge has sentenced Daniel Troya and Ricardo Sanchez Jr. to die for the 2006 murders of two boys killed along with their parents at the side of Florida’s Turnpike.

U.S. Senior District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley handed down the death sentences for Troya this morning (Wednesday) and Sanchez this afternoon.

Troya also received five consecutive life sentences and an additional 25 years in prison in connection with the drug ring that ultimately claimed the lives of the Escobedo family. Sanchez got an addtional four consecutive life sentences and another 45 years in prison.

Troya addressed the court briefly before he was sentenced, apologizing to the victims’ families, his own family and the judge before asking for Hurley’s help in relaxing the high restrictions placed on him in lockup since before the trial began.

In a brief statement before he was sentenced, Sanchez asserted his innocence and addressed the mothers of Jose and Luis Escobedo, the grandmothers of 4 and 3-year-old Luis Julian and Luis Damian Escobedo.
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