Joseph Mays Sentenced To 45 Years For Murder of Girlfriend, 2 Children

WASHINGTON - A man who used a knife in a fit of rage to kill his girlfriend and her two young sons has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Joseph Mays told the court he was "extremely sorry" for taking the lives of Erika Peters and her sons, Eric, 11, and Dakota, 10.

The three were found dead inside their northeast D.C. apartment in March of 2009 after one of the boys managed to call 911.

Before speaking up and apologizing for the murders, Mays had his attoey tell the court the killings could partially be explained by his mental illness. Then, in a loud clear voice, Mays told the court "I'm no monster" and wondered aloud why this was happening to him.

Mays was found inside the Maryland Avenue apartment with his young daughter on March 21, 2009 after police and firefighters finally broke down the door. There was confusion over who placed a 911 call and why he kept police outside the apartment door for at least 30 minutes that day.

Later, when police and prosecutors listened to a tape of the call to 911, Mays could be heard muttering, "I told y'all to leave me alone.”

Outside the courthouse, several family members talked to FOX 5.

James Harper, Erika Peters’ son, was the only family member to address the court.

"He got the message to what we were trying to say to him and he will never be forgiven for that,” he said.

"No man can be sorry for killing two children and their mom,” said Keandre Trimble, Peters’ nephew. “It's hard on me today. It's hard for me and my family, especially my grandmother and my grandfather.”

As many as a dozen family members attended the hearing, including Peters’ father.

"I see her everyday,” said Bobby Harper. "I think about her everyday because I have my moments. I try to be strong, but it just comes down at certain times. He got what’s coming to him. 46 years? That's life.”

Prosecutor Charles Cobb told the family the 45-year sentence means Mays, 45, will likely die in prison.

As for the delayed response in getting into the apartment, the phone call taker first thought the 911 call was children playing, but sent an officer anyway. D.C. Police have defended their actions from that day saying the call was handled appropriately.