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A Tucson man who killed a homeowner during a spree of home invasions was sentenced Friday to life in prison plus 48 1/2 years.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Edgar Acuña sentenced Thomas Michael Hernandez to a life sentence for the murder of Martin Guillermo Rodriguez, 35.

Hernandez, 21, could become eligible for parole after 25 years on the life sentence, but Acuña also gave him 48 1/2 years on the 25 other felony charges he was convicted of last October.

Deputy Pima County Attorney Michael Kelly told jurors last fall that Hernandez and two friends got bored early one morning and decided to go on a robbery spree.

Hernandez and Andy Gonzales kicked in or tried to kick in the doors of five homes as Adrian Valenzuela waited outside in a borrowed Chevrolet Cavalier, jurors were told.

More than a dozen pieces of evidence prove Hernandez and Gonzales committed the invasions and Hernandez fatally shot Rodriguez during the last heist of the night, Kelly said.

During Friday's sentencing hearing, Rodriguez's family members pleaded with Acuña to send Hernandez away for as long as possible so no one else has to suffer what they are suffering.

Rodriguez's wife, Maria Luisa Rodriguez; his mother, Hortencia Rodriguez; and his great-aunt, Pauline Grimes, all described Rodriguez as a loving family man who doted on his children and stepchildren, his parents and his grandmother, Vickie Lowe.

Lowe, 76, died in January of a broken heart, they said.

Kelly urged Acuña to give Hernandez a no-parole life sentence, saying his behavior was that of a "sociopath."

Instead of being sickened by the fear he caused the family in the first home invasion, Hernandez became "emboldened and excited" and went on to terrorize four other families, Kelly said.

Those families will never feel safe again, Kelly said.

Particularly troubling is that Hernandez committed the crimes while out on parole in an aggravated-assault case, Kelly said.

Defense attorney Thomas Hippert asked Acuña to give Hernandez a shot at parole, saying he isn't a "monster."

Hernandez essentially raised himself after being abandoned by abusive and drug-addicted parents, Hippert said.

Kelly told jurors Gonzales and Hernandez broke into the victms' homes and terrorized the occupants with a .357 Magnum gun while ransacking their houses.

The pair came away with more than $600 cash, a gold medallion, wedding rings, a digital camera and a cell phone before taking a break.

The men decided to go out again and targeted Rodriguez's house after watching his family arrive home in a newer model sport utility vehicle, Kelly said.

Hernandez and Gonzales kicked in the door with such force the hinges flew across the living room, Kelly said.

They ran upstairs, stormed into Rodriguez's bedroom — where he lay sleeping with his wife and 21-month-old son — and demanded cash, drugs and jewelry, Kelly said.

Rodriguez was shot twice because he struggled as the men tried to tie him up, Kelly said.

In a bedroom down the hall, two of the victim's relatives jumped out a second-story window to escape, Kelly said.

Two other relatives in another bedroom stacked furniture up against the door as Gonzales screamed at them and kicked a hole in the door.

Eventually the invaders fled.

They were arrested after the owner of the car they used during the heists called authorities.

One of the key pieces of evidence against the suspects was a digital camera seized by police. On it, police discovered pictures of Hernandez and his buddies trying on stolen jewelry, Kelly said.

Every victim was an innocent, law-abiding citizen, Kelly told Acuña.

Gonzales has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and armed robbery and is facing 10 1/2 to 33 1/2 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced in May.

Valenzuela is scheduled to go to trial April 15.