LOS ANGELES -- A former respiratory therapist who once called himself the "Angel of Death" was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for killing six elderly patients with drug injections.

Efren Saldivar, 32, apologized to the families of his victims.

"I know there is nothing I can say to them that can soothe their anger or bring relief to their anxiety," Saldivar said in a soft voice. "I want to say that I'm sorry. I am truly sorry and I ask for forgiveness although I don't expect any."

In addition to six life terms, Superior Court Judge Lance Ito gave Saldivar to 15 years to life for the attempted murder of Jean Coyle, who appeared in court and told how she was almost killed.