Some jury members who helped to seal Michael Valva's fate last month returned to the Suffolk County courthouse on Thursday.

Twelve jurors and alternate jurors sat in on Valva's sentencing to see the case come to a close.

Members of the jury said details of eight-year-old Thomas Valva's tragic death have haunted them for weeks. They believe the 25 years to life sentence handed down by Judge William Condon on Thursday was justified.

"I was distraught every day, especially because you couldn't go home and talk about anything," said juror Thomas Malloy. "You had to keep everything inside sealed up for six weeks, so it was a very difficult thing to do."

It took the jury less than a day to convict Michael Valva of the top charge of second-degree murder in Thomas Valva's death. They also found Michael Valva guilty of four counts of endangering the welfare of a child for the abuse that Thomas Valva and his then-10-year-old brother Anthony Valva had endured for months.

Jury members rejected the argument by defense attorney John LoTurco that Michael Valva cared for the two boys.

"He's getting exactly what he deserves," said juror Scott Krusen. "LoTurco said that he loved his kids. His definition of love must be different than mine because I have three girls. I couldn't imagine any father doing what he did to his kids."

Throughout the weekslong trial, jurors saw little to no emotion from Michael Valva.

Speaking with reporters outside the courthouse, jurors said Michael Valva's emotional statement during his sentencing does not change the fact they found he did nothing to try to save his son's life the day he died.

"I believe there's some remorse there. I don't believe he intended on that happening, but he sure enough didn't do anything to stop it so that's what makes him guilty," said juror Christina Anselmo.