TACOMA, Wash. -- Gang members are controlling the justice system while sitting behind bars, according to one grieving family.

Cliff Nelson was the innocent victim in a gang initiation murder in Spanaway nearly three years ago. And his family says the gang members are winning again.

On Friday, the alleged gang leader, Joshua Owen, strode into court.

"Piece of (expletive)," said Rebecca Lambert, not only because of her son's death, but also for what she considers Owen's manipulation of the judicial system.

Friday was supposed to be the sentencing date for Owen, who pleaded guilty to first degree murder. But now Owen is asking Superior Court Judge Brian Tollefson to be able to change that plea. It's put everything and everyone on hold for at least a month.

"I'm infuriated with this system. I'm infuriated with the judge. I'm infuriated with the prosecutors that they have let us suffer for so long," said Lambert. "They rip this wound open each and every time to have nothing happen."

The actual gunman in the murder, David Sanchez-Ramos, doesn't want to change his guilty plea. But his sentencing, too, is now put off for a month.

"My son died so that somebody else could strike terror in the hearts of the community," Lambert said to the judge.

"For these young individuals to get empowered like that is not fair, it's anything but just. Our system is failing," said Jim Nelson, the victim's father.

Nelson's family is livid, believing that both Owen and Sanchez-Ramos are up in their jail cells right now smirking because of these delays. But the prosecutor says the bottom line is that both of them will go to prison for a long time.

The pair's next court date has been set for April 25.