Cesar Figueroa of Bellport sentenced for role in Christmas 2013 killing

The day after a Patchogue man's mother marked his 21st birthday by visiting his grave, she came to Riverhead to tell one of his killers that he deserved to go to prison for a long time.

Mattie Ulusoy, mother of Taleik Bristel, spoke Monday at the sentencing of Cesar Figueroa, 21, of Bellport. Figueroa pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and assault for his role in a Christmas Day 2013 attack on an auto body shop to steal money and marijuana. Figueroa admitted shooting and injuring three people at Whitestar MTR in Medford while co-defendant Brandon Davis, 21, of Bridgehampton, shot Bristel twice in the head.

Davis was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Figueroa concocted the plan, however, and state Supreme Court Justice Mark Cohen sentenced him to 20 years to life in prison.

"If it wasn't for you, none of this would have happened," Ulusoy said. "In 20 years, I hope you can turn your life around. You hurt people. Your friend killed my son."

Assistant District Attorney Glenn Kurtzrock had recommended a sentence of 25 years to life, but Cohen agreed to the lesser sentence to avoid another trial. Kurtzrock said although Figueroa didn't fire the shot that killed Bristel, he was legally and morally culpable for it.

"This is something that didn't have to happen," Kurtzrock said.

Defense attorney Ira Weissman of Central Islip said his client has grown as a person since the shooting, in part because he is now a father.

"He is finally developing some empathy for others," Weissman said. "I hope that he continues to develop. I hope that he is able to teach lessons to others that he didn't learn, either because no one taught them to him or because he didn't pay attention."

Figueroa mumbled a brief apology to his victims before Cohen imposed the sentence.