ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Isaiah Anderson was sentenced on Friday for the murder of Alonzo Ford in April 2023. Up to his sentencing, Anderson denied killing his uncle on Easter morning two years ago. But that didn't stop an Albany County judge from giving him the maximum sentence of 25 years to life.
Draped in a bright yellow jumpsuit, the shackled defendant proclaimed his innocence.
“I am confident that someday I will be vindicated and that the truth will be known,” said Anderson.
“...That you serve an indeterminate period of incarceration with the maximum being 25 years. I'm sorry, the minimum being 25 years in, a maximum being life," Judge Andra Ackerman, said in part.
Ford’s family described the victim in loving terms as a Christian who loved life and his family. An Assistant District Attorney (ADA) read remarks from the deceased’s sister on her behalf. “He was our example of love, strength, and how to treat others as well as one another," the sister's words read.
The prosecution noted that it was Ford’s religious faith that had him awake after 4 AM on Easter Sunday 2023, the day of his murder.
“...Knowing that his uncle would be awake, praying so early in the morning," charged the ADA, “so that he could carry out this vengeance that he had decided needed to be exacted” she continued.
The 60-year-old Ford was pronounced dead inside a home on the 500 block of Morris Street in Albany, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Detectives identified the then-37-year-old Anderson as the suspect and took him into custody two days later. The prosecution stated that Albany PD video placed the convict in the area of the crime around the murder time.
“...You have sentenced countless family and friends of Alonzo to a lifetime of suffering and loss," Judge Ackerman said to the defendant.
Still, Anderson’s sister says the deceased uncle would have forgiven his nephew.
“If he was able to speak today, I know he would say that he still loves even the one who took his life" the sister's note read to the court.
Anderson also received 15 years plus five years probation for an illegal weapons possession charge which will be served concurrently.
