A lawyer is asking for leniency for a
Paul Gingerich, 12, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder his friend's stepdad. He faces decades in prison.
Gingerich’s friend, Colt Lundy, 15, is already serving a 30-year term for pleading to the same charge.
But Gingerich's lawyer says the 12-year-old should get off easier.
The community watched in disbelief in April as Lundy and Gingerich were charged with murder. Investigators say the two shot and killed Lundy's stepfather, Phillip Danner, at his home. Since then, Lundy has pleaded guilty to plotting the murder, and for that, he'll be in custody for the next thirty years.
Gingerich entered the same plea on Wednesday.
“The plea agreement that was entered up is in Paul Gingerich's best interest,” said William J. Cohen, Gingerich’s defense attorney.
But Cohen hopes the judge will treat Gingerich differently.
“The real culprit involved in this case is Colt Lundy,” said Cohen. “He's the one that planned everything. He's the one that fired the initial shots.”
Cohen says Gingerich is young and has shown remorse.
“He's very sorry about Phil Danner being killed. He regrets that,” said Cohen. “He's very sad. He's very remorseful.”
But whether that translates into a lesser sentence is unclear.
“I hope that Judge (Rex) Reed shows some compassion and leniency for Paul Gingerich who's only 12 years old," said Cohen.
“It's something that is just unheard of, and it is something that time's gonna tell how this all plays out, particularly with these boys,” said Hill.
Paul Gingerich will be sentenced January 4, 2011.
