A Hallandale Beach man who killed his girlfriend with a spear in 2019 has been sentenced to life in prison. The ruling came Friday for 49-year-old Adam Reechard Crespo, who was found guilty in August of second-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Silvia Galva.
Crespo stood motionless as Broward County Judge Andrew Siegel announced his sentence, while members of Galva’s family wept in the courtroom. Her sister and mother held each other tightly as the long-awaited decision was read.
“Definitely, definitely, it’s been six years and he got life,” said her sister, Veronica Galva, when asked if justice had been served. “It’s not equal because we lost my sister and we lost a life, and we love her and we miss her a lot.”
The family expressed frustration that Crespo never showed remorse for his actions, a sentiment shared by the judge. Despite Crespo’s emotional statement claiming he still loved Galva, the court found no reason for leniency. “I still love her and I regret my actions that night,” Crespo said in his brief address to the court.
During his police interrogation, Crespo told detectives that the incident was an accident. He claimed that during an argument, he grabbed Galva by the ankles and tried to pull her off the bed. “She must have grabbed onto the spear,” Crespo told officers, explaining that he heard the weapon crack before realizing it had impaled her, according to the Local NBC.
His defense team argued the death was accidental and brought in a medical expert who suggested the injuries could have been caused by an unintended fall. However, prosecutors countered with their own expert witness, who testified that the angle and force of the wound clearly indicated homicide.
Jurors were shown interrogation footage, autopsy photos, the spear itself, and a reconstructed version of the couple’s bed during the trial. The evidence convinced the jury that Crespo’s explanation did not align with the physical facts of the case.
On Friday, Judge Siegel rejected the defense’s request for a reduced 20-year sentence, stating that the jury’s verdict reflected the severity of the crime. “The evidence was clear,” the judge said, agreeing with the prosecution that the act was intentional.
Crespo’s parents attended the sentencing and pleaded for mercy, insisting their son loved Galva and would never intentionally harm her. They noted that he immediately called 911 and tried to save her life after the stabbing.
Still, the court ruled otherwise, closing a painful chapter for Galva’s family, who said they finally feel a measure of justice has been served.