The Pennsylvania man who killed his mother-of-four Uber driver has been sentenced to life behind bars without parole for the brutal murder.
Calvin Crew, 25, was sentenced on Monday to life without parole for the 2022 slaying of Christina Spicuzza.
Harrowing dashboard camera footage showed the 38-year-old mother-of-four begging for her life when Crew put a gun to her head after she picked him up for a ride.
Crew was convicted of first-degree murder in February and faced the death penalty, reported WTAE.
However, Spicuzza’s family asked that he be spared and the murderer was sentenced to life, with an additional 13 to 26 years for kidnapping and robbery charges.
‘You should have the death penalty but we showed mercy,’ said Spicuzza’s mother, Cindy Spicuzza. ‘You executed her. No mercy, no remorse. It was abhorrent. It was murder.’
Crew was not in the courtroom for sentencing at his own request, and his defense attorney said his client maintains his innocence and plans to appeal, according to KDKA.
‘No reason other than a coward. A coward who couldn’t be here today to face this,’ said Spicuzza’s life partner, Brandon Marto.
Calvin Crew (pictured), 25, was sentenced on Monday to life without parole for the 2022 slaying of his Uber driver
Mother-of-four and Uber driver Christina Spicuzza (pictured), 38, was shot dead after picking up Crew for a ride
Harrowing dashboard camera footage showed Spicuzza begging for her life when Crew put a gun to her head
Spicuzza is remembered as a loving mother who was always trying to spread joy, according to her obituary.
‘Christi was first and foremost a loving mother. She also enjoyed art, crafting, and her bible study,’ her family said.
‘Anyone who knew Christi knew her smile could light up every room she was in. No matter what was going on in her life, Christi was always smiling, always positive, and always loving.’
Police said Crew used his girlfriend’s phone to order the Uber on February 10, 2022, then held a gun to Spicuzza’s head and told her to keep driving.
She reached back four seconds after the gun was raised to her head, felt the weapon, and incredulously said ‘you’ve got to be joking,’ according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.