A city man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional four and a half to nine years of incarceration today after he was found guilty earlier this year of shooting a man to death in 2017.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Merrill Spahn told Wilberto Melendez, formerly of the 700 block of Rockland Street, that he has “demonstrated absolutely no remorse whatsoever” for his actions.

“You have lived a life of crime and violence,” Judge Spahn said.

First Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson, who prosecuted the case alongside First Deputy Assistant District Attorney Cody Wade, told the court that Melendez is a “profoundly dangerous man,” illustrating the point by highlighting his extensive criminal history despite numerous opportunities to reform.

“He is the very definition of a career criminal,” Anderson said.

Additionally, Anderson commended the professional work of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police and the bravery of the witnesses who testified against Melendez during the trial, adding that the community is now safer with him behind bars.

A jury had found Melendez guilty of first-degree criminal homicide, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a firearm prohibited and intimidation of a witness following a four-day trial in February.

Melendez, 48, shot 31-year-old William Earl Cooper Jr. following an argument in October 2017. Cooper died several hours later at a local hospital.

Many of Cooper’s loved ones appeared in court for the sentencing and submitted written victim impact statements, representing what Anderson described as “a fraction of the heart-broken people” Cooper left behind.

One of Cooper’s loved ones addressed the court prior to Melendez’s sentencing, thanking the District Attorney’s Office for their hard work bringing him to justice.

When given the opportunity to speak, Melendez embarked on a lengthy history of Pennsylvania law, ultimately claiming he legally could not be sentenced to life in prison for first-degree criminal homicide and told Judge Spahn to specify to him what statute gives the court the authority to sentence him.

Melendez continued to interrupt Judge Spahn as his sentence was being handed down, repeatedly proclaiming his innocence and taunting the victim’s family in attendance.

As he was being led out of the courtroom Melendez shouted “I’ll be back” at the victim’s family, then adding “he won’t.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Spahn also ordered Melendez to pay $6,500 in restitution to the Victims Compensation Assistance Program for funeral expenses.

Cpt. Robert Whiteford of the Lancaster Bureau of Police filed the charges.