Long Island Man Sentenced In Choking Death Of 15-Year-Old Brother
DIX HILLS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)-- A man who killed his brother and brutally beat his mother during a dispute over a missing wallet faced a judge for sentencing Friday on Long Island.
Charles Okonkwo Jr., 21, choked his 15-year-old brother, Bradley, to death and beat his mother unconscious during an argument over the wallet, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.
Despite the horrific crimes, the man's father, Charles Okwonkwo Sr., pleaded with the judge for a lenient hospital sentencing, saying he's his only living son.
"That's all I have. All I want him is to be treated and let him come back and be back in the society," he said.
The judge disagreed, sentencing the Dix Hills man to a minimum 30 to 40 years in prison.
"Looking at what he's already done, I think that this sentence may save their lives," Assistant District Attorney Glenn Kurtrock said.
Back in 2014, Okonkwo Sr., 62, said he had just returned to his home following a hospital stay when he discovered his son was dead and his wife had suffered severe injuries, police said.
Okonkwo Jr. had fled the scene in a BMW, but police later located him a short distance from the home.
Bradley Okonkwo was pronounced dead at the scene by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's office, but his cause of death could not be determined at the time.