Cedric Berry and Berry Davis, two 42-year-old men in Minnesota, received a life sentence for killing Monique Baugh, a 28-year-old real estate agent and mother of two.

The two men, who were sentenced to life without the possibility of release for first-degree premeditated murder, are also convicted of kidnapping, People reported.

The pair was also convicted of attempted second-degree murder for trying to kill Baugh's boyfriend, Momoh. Baugh was shot three times, including once in the face, when she was found dead in an alleyway on New Year's Eve in 2019.

“She was so special to all of us. She was kind, sweet, funny. Her laugh was contagious,” Beth Armanini, speaking on behalf of Baugh’s father, said, CBS Minnesota reported.

Momoh, who is known as a local rapper, was attacked on the same day before his girlfriend was killed.

Prosecutors said Berry was wearing a black mask with two eye holes when he broke into the couple's home on Dec. 31, 2019. Their two daughters, 1 and 3, were in the home when Berry allegedly shot the rapper several times before fleeing.

Police found Momoh on the floor of his bedroom covered in blood, surrounded by his two children. Baugh, in her last conversation with her boyfriend, said she was going to show a house to a prospective client. Police said the 28-year-old was abducted before the attack on Momoh and killed an hour after he was shot.

Investigators believe the two men were targeting the rapper because they were engaged in a dispute over a record deal. Berry, who was sentenced to 33 years in prison on the first-degree attempted murder and kidnapping counts, heard a stern statement from Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill on Monday.

"For the remainder of your life, there will be no possibility of release," Cahill told Berry, KSTP reported. "If they change the law someday and you're entitled to release, I don't think it would be appropriate."

Davis is also facing 33 years in prison.

“On December 30, 2019, I said good night and I love you to my daughter Monique Baugh for the last time,” Wanda Williams Baugh, Monique’s mother, said. “Both of her girls, they say good night to her, too, and they kiss and hug her picture.”

Berry and Davis maintained their innocence.

“My condolences to the Baugh family. I hate you guys had to go through this and I will always pray that the truth comes out,” Berry said.

“Ms. Baugh, I hope she gets relief. Today she didn’t get it, because justice wasn’t served,” Davis added.

Cedric Berry

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