The family of Susana Morales also addressed the court after the ruling
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Susana Morales, left, and Miles Bryant
A former Georgia police officer who murdered a teenage girl and dumped her body was found guilty of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Miles Bryant was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday, July 12, of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping and false reporting of a crime, according to reports from Fox 5 Atlanta, 11Alive and WSB-TV. He was found not guilty of attempted rape.
Bryant was convicted of the murder of 16-year-old Susana Morales, who was reported missing in July 2022. Her remains were eventually found in February 2023 and Bryant was arrested weeks later, PEOPLE previously reported.
Related: Prosecutors claim internet searches prove former police officer killed 16-year-old girl
Before a judge sentenced Bryant, the former Doraville police officer, to life in prison without parole, he made a brief statement in court.
“I just want to apologize to everyone, to the victim’s family, that’s all,” Bryant said, according to Fox 5’s report.
Special prosecutor Brandon Delfun asked the judge to impose a maximum sentence, calling Bryant a “monster,” WSB reports.
Susana’s family also spoke in court on Wednesday.
“All I ever wanted was justice for what happened to her,” Susana’s younger sister told the court, according to Fox 5. “I want to thank you for that.”
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Susana’s mother spoke to the judge through an interpreter.
“Every night I can’t sleep without thinking about her,” her mother, Maria Bran, said, according to the outlet.
During the trial, several internet searches that Bryant had conducted were shown to the court. They include: “how long does it take for a body to decompose?” and “How is your identity based on dental records?”, 11Alive reported.
He was identified as a suspect after his gun was found near her body, media reported.
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