MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Amy Senser was sentenced to 41 months in prison Monday for hitting and killing Anousone Phanthavong last summer as he filled his car up with gas on a freeway ramp.

In court Monday, his brother, Kono Phanthavong and his niece, Souksavanh Phanthavong, talked about what it was like to have him gone.

Souksavanh talked about the anger she felt, and how like holding onto a hot coal, to hurt someone else, holding onto anger only hurts the person holding it.

She added that she wants Senser to know, “that we will be pray for her every night that’s she’s gone from her family.”

WCCO’s Susie Jones Interviews Souksavanh

Kono said that while Senser will have to spend time in prison, she will one day be free again. Anousone, however, will never return.

He said he misses him every day.

“It will send a message that anyone, not someone who is high profile, will get the same sentence for the crime they chose to commit,” he said.

WCCO’s Susie Jones Interviews Kono

Two large photos of Anousone were displayed in court. His mother, wept openly throughout the proceedings.