JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Steven Montgomery was sentenced on Thursday to 45 years in prison in the beating death of his girlfriend nearly two years ago.

In June, a jury convicted Montgomery, 30, of second-degree murder in the slaying of 23-year-old Tarnesha Ellis. Ellis' family filled the courtroom as Judge Michael Weatherby pronounced the sentence.

Ellis was killed in October 2005 inside her home. Police said that after killing Ellis, Montgomery ate ice cream with her 2-year-old son before leaving the scene.

He was arrested a few days later in a stolen car in Georgia.

Weatherby called this one of the worst murders he has seen in some time, but because the jury found Montgomery guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder, prosecutor Bernie del la Rionda said the sentence was appropriate for the conviction.

"Of course I'd want less for my client, but it sure beats life (in prison)," public defender Cynthia Veintemillas said after the sentencing hearing.