Joseph Martinez was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a jury convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of 13-year-old Minerliz Soriano.

There were tears in the courtroom as the judge read the sentence. Afterward, Soriano’s family said the punishment represents only a fraction of the justice they have been seeking for more than two decades.

Family members addressed the court, remembering Soriano as a young girl with a bright future that was cut short.

Martinez — also known as “Jupiter Joe” — was convicted of sexually abusing and strangling Soriano in 1999 before dumping her body in a Co-op City dumpster.

The case remained unsolved for more than 20 years before investigators identified Martinez using familial DNA linked through his father.

Soriano’s father called Martinez a monster. Her aunt, who attended every day of the trial, said she visits her niece’s grave weekly and broke down in tears during sentencing.

The defense argued the evidence did not support the verdict, maintaining Martinez was wrongfully convicted and requesting a lesser sentence.

Martinez showed little emotion in court. He offered condolences to the family but maintained his innocence.

At one point during the proceedings, Soriano’s father, who primarily speaks Spanish, removed his interpretation device as the defense spoke.

Soriano’s best friend, Kimberly Ortiz, also addressed the court, describing the pain of the past two decades.

“I remember standing in front of her body at 12 years old and I said, ‘I will find who did this to you,’” Ortiz said. “He got to live life for 26 years. He got to have a family, he got to get married, while my friend was in the ground.”

The district attorney said the case marks the beginning of expanded efforts to solve cold cases using familial DNA.

Soriano’s family said they are beginning to find some closure, while the defense plans to appeal.