“You get a life sentence,” Ellis said of what he called “the most serious crimes that can be committed.” After his sentence was handed down, Ellis said he hoped it would act as a deterrent to future terrorist groups. “We are not giving up,” Ellis told the US government. “We will look for you. We will find you.” Prior to his conviction, 12 members of the victims’ family and two former hostages of the group gave disappointing testimonies in court about their loss and the continuation of the fight in the aftermath of the tragedy – occasionally speaking directly to Kotey and his co-accused El Shafee. Elsheikh, who was convicted by a jury in the same courtroom weeks earlier. Both men sat in the courtroom to hear the family’s comments.
