SHELTON, Wash. -- Nearly 22 years after he killed a pizza delivery man, Daniel Delgado told a state board he was sorry.
But even without his apology Delgado may be getting out of prison 15 years early.
He's one of 17 offenders trying to get sentences reduced under a new law for criminals who were minors when they broke the law and received sentences longer than 20 years.
Those offenders must be now considered for release after 20 years unless the Washington Indeterminate Sentence Review Board determines they are a risk to reoffend.
During a hearing at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Delgado told board members he is a changed man since the murder.
"I wanted to build a reputation… so I could gain the respect I wanted at that time," Delgado told board members.
George Maykowskyj, the victim's father, does not think the apology is sincere.
"I think he's trying to pull a con on the board," said George Maykowskyj, who did not want to attend the hearing.
The victim's father thinks the board will deny Delgado's request for an early release.
"I hope and pray they do," said George Maykowskyj.
Delgado was 17 when he killed Mike Maykowskyj in Spokane in 1992.
Maykowskyj, a 25-year-old father, was working to pay for Gonzaga law school and to help raise his daughter.
In April, Maykowskyj's family pleaded with the board to hold Delgado to his original sentence.
Their attorney said the victim's parents and sister were too disturbed by the thought of seeing Delgado in person to attend Wednesday's hearing in the prison.
He said the family was upset and scared by thought of Delgado getting a break on his sentence.
"They physically feel afraid," said attorney David Freeburg, "They suffered PTSD at the time of the crime. That has returned. They are suffering physical symptoms today of a crime that happened 20 years ago."
Freeburg questioned the timing and motive of Delgado's apology.
"Mr. Delgado knew what the board wanted to hear," said Freeburg.
The board is expected at least two months to reach a decision on Delgado's release.
One of the four board members, Keica Rongen, said it will be a "difficult" decision.
