MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - Jeffrey Willis chose not to stay in court to hear his murder victim's family share their grief and anger, but he couldn't escape hearing their words that were repeatedly played for him on his trip to prison.

Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin said he had a compact disc created from recordings of the victim impact statements delivered by Rebekah Bletsch's family in court Monday. He gave the 25-minute CD to two transport officers who played the disc five times in the cruiser that was used to transport Willis to prison Wednesday, Poulin said.

"I don't find it that important that Jeffrey Willis heard what the family had to say, but that the family knew he heard what they said," Poulin said.

Willis was convicted in November of murdering Bletsch after authorities believe she refused to get in his van. Their theory is that Willis wanted to sexually torture Bletsch before killing her.

Bletsch's family and others who gathered in the courtroom Monday for Willis' sentencing were shocked and outraged when Willis' attorney announced that Willis' "desire" was to not be present for the family's statements or the pronouncement of his sentence. His sentence was mandatory: life in prison without parole.

Jessica Josephson, Bletsch's sister, said she was grateful that the sheriff had thought enough about the family - and others who grieve the loss of Bletsch -- to make sure Willis heard their comments.

"It brings a little bit of peace, a little bit of comfort," Josephson said. "I did want the opportunity to say it to his face... but knowing he did get to hear it does help."

Poulin said he did not know what Willis' reaction was to hearing the audio.

Willis was transported to the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson where male inmates are initially quarantined, typically for 30 to 45 days, by the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Jeffrey Willis sentenced for first degree murder of Rebekah Bletsch. Posted by The Muskegon Chronicle on Monday, December 18, 2017

Josephson, her sister Nicole Winberg and mother Debra Reamer gave tearful statements that included remembrances of Bletsch's vivacious personality as well as their anger toward Willis, who Josephson calls the "Monster of Muskegon." In addition, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson read aloud a letter from Bletsch's husband.

When Willis was escorted out of the courtroom prior to the victim statements, members of the audience yelled out "coward" and "rot in hell," and he responded by blowing a kiss to Bletsch's family members.