LOS ANGELES (AP) — The methamphetamine-addled killer of an elderly Southern California couple has been sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms.

A Los Angeles judge on Tuesday sentenced 38-year-old Alfredo Montez Valenzuela, who was convicted by jurors in July on two counts of first-degree murder, burglary and robbery.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty, but the Pasadena Star-News says the jury decided Aug. 1 that Valenzuela should get life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Valenzuela admitted in court that he was on a methamphetamine binge in 2003 when he broke into the Monrovia home of 78-year-old Charles Shaum and his 70-year-old wife, Bernice, in search of money. Charles Shaum had 113 knife wounds and his wife was stabbed more than 40 times.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)