Chimene Onyeri, man who shot Judge Julie Kocurek, will serve life sentence

Inside a federal courtroom in downtown Austin Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel said 31-year-old Chimene Onyeri will spend the rest of his life in federal prison, plus pay restitution of $178,374.41 for his financial crimes. 

On April 26, Onyeri was found guilty on 17 counts of mail fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, racketeering, witness tampering and the 2015 attempted capital murder of state district court judge Julie Kocurek. Kocurek was in the courtroom both days of the sentencing phase. She is relieved and feels at peace at this time.

"It's been two years and 11 months and it feels so good to wake up in the morning and to know my family is safe from Mr. Onyeri and his associates,” said Kocurek.

Onyeri will be eligible to appeal in two weeks. There is no option for parole in the federal court system. Onyeri’s attorney Victor Arana said he will appeal this decision.

"He felt terrible about what happened to Judge Kocurek and he wanted to know how to make it up to her. She said she hadn't made any claim for restitution. His response was if he had anything he would give it to her,” said Arana.

Arana was trying to get his client a lesser sentence of 30 years. Prosecutors say Onyeri has ten co-conspirators who are still awaiting sentencing.