Family members held Lopez's picture and his girlfriend told the judge it is hard to imagine that after all the years of searching for him, Rittenhouse knew where Lopez was.
Lopez's mother, Barbara McQuiston, cried as she addressed the man who killed her son.
The judge sentenced Rittenhouse to 15 years to life in prison. He also ordered him to pay $15,000 up to $1 million, but a separate hearing will be held on that on a later date.
Rittenhouse did address the court and the Lopez family and apologized for what he had done.
Previous Stories: September 16, 2004: Grand Jury Returns Indictment In Yellow Springs Murder February 20, 2004: Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty February 20, 2004: Human Remains Found Buried February 20, 2004: Arrest Made In Missing Person Case February 19, 2004: Evidence Collected From Yellow Springs Home February 19, 2004: Yard Searched For Missing Man