Teen Sentenced To Juvenile Facility In Murder Of Elderly West Oak Lane Man
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A teen convicted in the August 2010 murder of an 87-year-old World War II veteran has been sentenced to at least two years in a juvenile facility.
The conviction would have carried a life sentence in adult court.
Although the defendants blamed each other, prosecutor Chesley Lightsey says the evidence indicates that co-defendant India Spellman, then 17, shot and killed George Greaves, who was outside his West Oak Lane home mowing his lawn at the time.
A judge ruled earlier that Von Combs, 14 at the time of the murder and believed to be the lookout, should be tried as a juvenile (see related story). He was convicted of second-degree murder.
Now, Combs will be at a juvenile facility for at least two years, and could be under court supervision until he turns 21.
"The purpose of the juvenile justice system is really to rehabilitate these kids," says Lightsey, "to get them the treatment they may need, so that ultimately when they are out they can become productive members of society and not become recidivists."
India Spellman, the 19-year-old female co-defendant, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial as an adult.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
