Teen Admits To Charges In New Jersey Girl's Strangulation
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges connected to the death of a 12-year-old girl who disappeared last fall while out riding her bike.
Justin Robinson, 16, admitted in court Wednesday that he lured Autumn Pasquale to his home in Clayton -- a rural community of 8,000 located 25 miles south of Philadelphia -- then strangled her. Authorities say the boy lured her to their home by promising to trade bicycle parts.
"He was waived to adult court voluntarily, then immediately pled guilty in adult court to aggravated manslaughter," Camden County Prosecutor's office spokesman Jason Laughlin told WCBS 880.
Under a plea agreement, he faces 17 years in prison.
His brother, Dante, was 17 at the time of the killing and also charged with murder in the case. His case is pending in juvenile court.
"As a juvenile, he would have been eligible to be released less than seven years," Laughlin said. "Now, with the plea that we got, he won't be eligible for parole for more than 15 years."
An attorney for Autumn's mother said prosecutors did "the best they could."
Forty-eight hours after the girl went missing Oct. 20, her body was found in a blue recycling bin near the Robinsons' home.
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