By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A man who strangled a 19-year-old Pace University student out of boredom and then watched a horror movie next to his corpse was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison.
A Manhattan judge said he would not show mercy for 24-year-old Jeromie Cancel, who smirked and muttered to himself throughout the emotional proceeding as grieving family members of victim Kevin Pravia read statements to the court.
"You took this life in an act seemingly motivated by nothing other than whimsy," Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Daniel Fitzgerald said before handing Cancel the maximum sentence. "I don't even think you understand the basic notion of mercy so you'll get none from me — 25 to life."
Cancel was found guilty in November of strangling Pravia and then watching the movie "Hostel" afterward on Aug. 30, 2008. Pravia was a gay Massachusetts native living in New York, preparing to begin his second year at Pace University.
Pravia, who had been out drinking that night, met Cancel near Union Square Park and invited him to his apartment, according to testimony at Cancel's trial.
Cancel had a criminal record and a life-long history of mental illness, family members and prosecutors said.
The victim's grieving mother, Paula Pravia, said she is constantly thinking about the horrific death her son suffered.
"I cry when i wake in the morning and I cry myself to sleep" the mother said.
One family member was escorted out of the courtroom after losing his temper at Cancel's behavior.
Cancel declined to speak when offered the chance.
But as he was escorted back to his holding cell in handcuffs, Cancel displayed wide smile for the victim's family.
"I'll see you in hell!" the victim's father yelled.
