Live updates: Austin Thompson sentenced to life without possibility of parole for killing 5 people

Tracey Howard, the husband of Hedingham shooting victim Nicole Connors, said the sentence was a step closer toward everything being over.

"It doesn't bring anyone back," said Howard. "I never heard Austin apologize. I never seen any regrets - (he has) no soul. Right now, I can't forgive him. I can't forgive him."

There were two survivors from this mass shooting.

Lynn Gardener testified last week that she forgave Thompson as a Christian woman.

Former Raleigh police officer Casy Clark was shot in the knees and had to give up his dream of serving on the SWAT team. He's now working as a Realtor in Michigan and testified that a bullet was still lodged in his leg.

There were seven full days of testimony, and 39 witnesses took the stand.

Judge Paul Ridgeway said Austin Thompson was the rare juvenile defendant who deserved the maximum punishment of life without the possibility of parole.

"These facts reflect a defendant who, for many months and certainly several months prior to committing murder, fantasized, researched, and planned his criminal acts in his escape. On the day he committed the murders, he confirmed his sanity, his culpability, and his lack of regret in a written note," said Ridgeway.

The defense did enter a notice of appeal as Thompson was led out of the courtroom.

Nicole Conners' husband, Tracey Howard, spoke with ABC11 after the sentencing, describing himself as "a broken man."

He was the only loved one to attend the hearing every day and testified last week. While he acknowledged that the sentence brings a degree of closure, he said it doesn't bring anyone back.

"It's a step closer to everything being over with," Howard said.

He also said he has not forgiven Austin Thompson: "I never heard Austin apologize. I never seen any regrets-no soul. Right now, I can't forgive him...so ... I can't forgive him."

In court, Austin Thompson's parents were visibly distraught. His father kept his head down and hunched over during most of the sentencing, while his mother wiped tears from her face with a tissue.

Thompson is set to be transferred to the adult correctional facility.

ABC11's Elaina Athans contributed.

At 9:59 a.m., Judge Ridgeway sentences Austin Thompson, now 18, to life without possibility of parole Friday for all five counts of first-degree murder.

The judge ruled he was sentenced to at least 157 months for attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to Lynn Gardner.