Family of slain Seattle police officer reacts to his killer's sentencing

SEATTLE -- Convicted killer Christopher Monfort was sentenced Thursday to life in prison, without the possibility of parole, for gunning down Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton in 2009.

Brenton's family spoke exclusively to Q13 Fox News afterward.

Family members said they were relieved when Monfort was convicted last month and were ready to accept whatever sentence the jury gave Monfort -- either death or life in prison. They just wanted the legal process to be over.

“This has been in our lives for as long as Tim has been gone, and we haven't been able to really focus on our grief and the loss of Tim,” said Matt Brenton, Tim's brother. “It’s just been waiting for this to happen.”

Matt Brenton testified during the penalty phase of the trial, but he said he wasn’t trying to sway jurors to give Monfort the death penalty.

“I just went to let them know who Tim was. Since the beginning, even before the trial, Tim was forgotten, the focus was on the defendant.”

Jurors took only one hour to reach a decision. But they offered no explanation, saying only that the decision was unanimous.

“It really was a horrible incident, full of sadness, regrettable in every way,” said one juror who declined to share his name.

Monfort’s mother said she’s relieved the jury chose life over death.

“I had no idea, there’s always that chance,” said Suzan Monfort. “I don’t believe in the death penalty for my son, or any other human being.”

When reporters asked about his victim, Christopher Monfort instead referred to what he called victims of police violence.

“I’ve got more concerns about 600 people and citizens, 600 citizens that have been killed and all their families,” said Christopher Monfort.

Brenton’s family said they don’t want to listen to what Christopher Monfort has to say anymore. They want to focus on the man they loved.

“Remember him, not just as the police officer but the loving father, my best friend, loving husband, who Tim was as a person,” said Matt Brenton.