A Town of Clay man could possibly spend the rest of his life behind bars for his ex-girlfriend's murder. Steven Pieper was sentenced to 23 years to life for the death of Jenni-Lyn Watson. Before he received his sentence, the victim's family spoke in court. Our Iris St. Meran has more on what they had to say to Pieper.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Jenni-Lyn Watson, 20, had a passion for dance and studied it at Mercyhurst College. She came home to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

"November 19, 2010, my whole life froze. Nothing made sense and everything was an unreal blur," said Watson's sister, Lauren.

That was the day Jenni-Lyn disappeared. Eight days later, her body was found in Clay Central Park. Her ex-boyfriend, Steven Pieper, pleaded guilty to murder, admitting he strangled her. Tuesday during his sentencing, her family expressed the betrayal they felt.

"We spent many hours getting to know you, watching TV shows with you, playing games, spending holidays, exchanging gifts, trusting you with our precious Jenni-Lyn," said her mother, Jackie Watson.

Her father said Pieper didn't want her spending time with others and often made up stories to make her stay with him.

Her father David Watson said, "He lied twice about having cancer. He lied about having concussions after his car accidents, including using his father's cell phone to try and scare Jenni to feel for him."

Tuesday would be the first time Pieper came face to face with the Watsons since Jenni-Lyn's death. With his family and hers listening on in court, he spoke briefly.

"I had no right to dictate the life of someone else. There isn't enough time in this world to fix what I have done and I will be forever sorry for what's been done," said Pieper.

With that, the judge sentenced Pieper to 23 years to life in prison, saying Pieper deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars. But District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick also said this sentence could never really bring the Watsons closure.

Fitzpatrick said, "When there's a missing face in the photo. And there's a missing present under the tree. What else could Jenni-Lyn had been but a dancer?"