Frederick Garcia Cruz has begun serving a 50-year sentence in state prison for killing two teenagers in 2008 — including Michael Taylor, a Point Loma High School football player. The courtroom was packed March 11 with friends and family members of Taylor, 15, and Monique Palmer, 17, who was also shot to death after walking from a party on Dec. 6, 2008 around 12:50 a.m. in Valencia Park. Cruz, 22, was sentenced by San Diego Superior Court Judge David Danielsen. Cruz has since been transferred from county jail to an unspecified state prison. He received 25 years for each murder and was fined nearly $10,300. “I feel justice has been served,” said Taylor’s mother, Denise Saunders, afterwards. “I’m happy for the closure for my baby so he can rest in peace.” Mike Hastings, head football coach at PLHS, told Danielsen, “Our whole team is still grieving.” He said they still have Taylor’s No. 9 jersey, saying, “We look at it every day.” Deputy District Attorney Mike Still said Cruz must serve a minimum of 50 years before he can become eligible for parole. Cruz pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder on Feb. 10, but did not agree to a plea bargain. Cruz made a remark during the sentencing that indicated he was not the killer, but he didn’t follow through with what he was trying to say. The comment irritated family members, who said they believed he was the killer.