County District Attorney Melissa Inlow, ….

County District Attorney Melissa Inlow, had a much different take on that topic. She asked the court to impose a life sentence with no chance for parole, based on the “cruelty” of the murder and hiding of the remains as well as Contreras Perez’s history of abusing women.

By reading through the social media posts Ayon made while she was alive, Jay said she got a view of the kind of person Ayon was. A devoted mother and selfless friend she was, Jay said, before Contreras Perez selfishly stalked her and killed her.

“The picture that came in so clearly was of a really happy person,” Jay said. “In 27 years, she did nothing but bring light to other people.”

As an example of what she did for others, Jay said the last photo Ayon ever saved on her Instagram account was one of a batch of doughnuts she had bought to bring to her co-workers.

Jay said Contreras Perez took all of that away because he could not stand to see Ayon with other men. It’s why, she said, Contreras Perez was searching for internet information on homemade gun silencers shortly before Ayon’s disappearance.

“This was a well-organized, targeted offense against the mother of his child, against a 27-year-old woman who had the audacity of wanting a night out,” Jay said.

Jay noted that Contreras Perez has a history of abusing women, including his ex-wife, who had a restraining order against him.

“He has terrible character,” Jay said. “He’s in his 40s and he’s done almost nothing but make women’s lives miserable ... No woman would ever be safe from the defendant. He’s done nothing but violate these women. He feels like he’s the victim. His character is depraved. There’s no insight.”

Compounding the cruelty of this case, Jay said Contreras Perez’ refusal to admit guilt and say where Ayon’s remains are hidden is especially torturous for her family.

“Cassandra’s family has no grave to visit,” she said. “There is no grave. There is no marker. They don’t know where she is. They have no location to go to to mourn.” Furthermore, as evidenced by the “as party to a crime” aspect to the homicide charge against Contreras Perez, he likely had help with either the killing and/ or disposal of the remains and vehicle. “They (Ayon’s family) don’t know what happened. They don’t know who else is involved and that must be terrifying,” Jay said. “They don’t know who else is out there keeping an eye on them.”

Jay also asked the court to consider what Ayon must have suffered through on Oct. 3, 2020.

“She had to know what was going to happen when she saw him that night,” Jay said. “If not this crime, what crime would possibly warrant life imprisonment? It has to end now.”

Diehn said the main consideration for the court in this case is whether or not a possible parole date would be set for Contreras Perez. State statutes mandate a life imprisonment sentence for a first-degree intentional homicide conviction, but a judge in a case can allow for the possibility of eventual release.

Diehn said Contreras Perez seems to have strong family support and a good work history. Those would be factors in his favor for possible parole, but “those are largely dwarfed by some other things” of relevance.

For one, Diehn said evidence presented at trial showed Contreras Perez repeatedly stalked Ayon. Witnesses told of Ayon telling them of threats Contreras Perez made to her “including that he would kill her and they would never find her,” Diehn said.

The stalking and the act of homicide and the compounding factor of hiding the remains is also weighty, Diehn said.

“This type of offense is the most serious offense that one can contemplate,” the judge said. “It’s hard to imagine ... anything that could be more serious or grave ... I’m confident that this was a carefully thought-out, planned, pre-meditated event.”

Finally, Diehn said before declaring that Contreras Perez will not be eligible for parole, his demeanor at trial and even at Monday’s sentencing is not in his favor.

“Frankly, the court has not seen any sign whatsoever of remorse or cooperativeness,” Diehn said. “Not only does Mr. Contreras Perez not have any remorse for his action, he’s actively blaming others, seeing himself as the victim, basically claiming he’s being persecuted in this matter.” In his pre-sentence statement, Contreras Perez said he has been wrongfully prosecuted and that he will continue court action to prove his innocence. His conviction and life sentence will not solve the case, he said. “I want them (Ayon’s family) to know I did not have anything to do with none of this,” he said. “By these people committing me for something I didn’t do is not gonna give them any closure.”

He also made a personal appeal to his son, who was not in the courtroom.

“I know you can’t hear me, but wherever you are,” Contreras Perz said, “I didn’t abandon you. I didn’t walk away from you. I think about you all day long. I haven’t forgotten you. I love you with all my heart and I didn’t abandon you. I got put here by a bunch of corrupt rats from Clark County and the DOJ (Department of Justice).

“I promise I will come back. The fight is not over,” Contreras Perez continued. “I just want everybody to know I’m innocent. I didn’t commit no crime. From day one, from Oct. 9, 2020, these corrupt rats, they’ve been violating my rights. Since I’ve been here (in custody), I’ve been psychologically and mentally tortured. I’ve been in isolation for over six months.”

Contreras Perez accused investigators of “sloppy work” and a “cover up” to hide it.

“I will prove it when the time comes,” Contreras Perez said. “I hope some day someone will have the courage to expose all the corrupt rats in this county.”

In addition to the life imprisonment sentence on the homicide count, Diehn sentenced Contreras Perez to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision on the corpse hiding count and four years in prison and four years of extended supervision on the stalking charge.

“Cassandra’s family has no grave to visit. There is no grave. There is no marker. They don’t know where she is. They have no location to go to to mourn.” -- Prosecutor Annie Jay “Frankly, the court has not seen any sign whatsoever of remorse or cooperativeness. Not only does Mr. Contreras Perez not have any remorse for his action, he’s actively blaming others, seeing himself as the victim, basically claiming he’s being persecuted in this matter.”

-- Judge Daniel Diehn