Broward Teenager Sentenced in Death of Neighbor

CBS 4 reports that a teenager who confessed to fatally stabbing his 62 year old neighbor more than 100 times and stole just $34 will spend 30 years in prison under the terms of a negotiated plea of guilty.

The accused, a 17 year old boy, listened while the victim's family told the Broward judge that the 30 year punishment would fit the crime. Under the deal, the accused would plead no contest to second-degree murder and burglary with battery.

When a violent crime is committed, it is the policy of nearly every State Attorney's Office to have the consent of the victim or the next of kin prior to making a plea offer to the accused.

This plea deal - while extensive in terms of prison years - is substantially less than the maximum penalty for each charge.  If tried and found guilty of both second-degree murder and burglary with an assault or battery, the accused teenager could have been sentenced to consecutive life terms.

The allegations are that on January 16,2010, the teenager repeatedly stabbed his 62 year old neighbor after she refused to give him money.  He allegedly entered her home and killed her prior to taking $34 from her purse.

Under the plea deal, the teenager will also have 10 years of probation after being released from prison.

The teenager's criminal defense attorney argued that prior to this incident, the teenager had a record which included three minor misdemeanor offenses.  It was also argued that the accused had been diagnosed with a depression disorder which caused him to be hospitalized in a mental institution.

Following the recommendation of the State Attorney, as well as the wishes of the victim's family, Broward Circuit Court Judge Lisa Porter sentenced the young man to 30 years in state prison followed by 10 years of probation.

The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny is a criminal defense firm serving Miami-Dade and Broward.  Call today to discuss your case.