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Orange Co. teen accepts 10-year plea deal in murder case

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County teenager will spend the next 10 years in prison for his part in a home invasion and robbery that left two people dead.

The victims were killed at the Middlebrook Apartments in Orlando in February.

Monday, on his 18th birthday, Diego Alvarez took a plea deal in the murders of 17-year-old Jonathan Cook and 24-year-old Khoy Williams, then apologized to the victims' families.

"May God bless them, and I hope you'll forgive me," Alvarez said.

It was an emotional day for both families.

Cook and Williams were shot to death after returning from a night of bowling.

Investigators said Alvarez and 21-year-old Joshua Heard pulled a robbery, and then Heard pulled the trigger, shooting Cook and Williams to death and wounding a third man, Robert Lonergan.

Alvarez pleaded no-contest to two counts of second-degree murder and pleaded guilty to burglary with assault or battery.

He was looking at three life sentences and received 10 years.

"At least he said he's really sorry and I think he's sincere about it and that's good for the family," said Royston Williams, father of Khoy Williams.

As part of the deal, Alvarez agreed to testify against Heard. Immediately following his plea hearing, he took the stand in Heard's preliminary hearing.

"I saw Mr. Heard shooting," Alvarez said.

While both families know nothing will bring their loved ones back ... They're now hoping this will lead to a conviction for the man accused of pulling the trigger.

"My brother was a very wonderful kid ... Joking, just amazing kid, sorry to see him gone," said Ashley Anano, Jonathan Cook's sister.

Heard will likely go to trial in January.