A young man, that allegedly killed his stepfather in his sleep with a samurai sword in 2005, per Yahoo News, is going to trial a second time under a new guilty plea of manslaughter.
S.G., now aged 24, originally claimed that he was a victim of his stepfather’s sexual molestations.
S.G.’s sentencing is due to be handed down late May. Per the Suffolk County district attorney’s office, he now faces 25 years in prison.
The original conviction, for almost beheading his stepfather, retired New York Police officer, S.N., has been ordered a new trial. The state’s highest court agreed with an appeals court – and the new trial is primarily due to the fact that testimony about statements made by S.G.’s mother was not allowed by the trial judge.
Almost immediately following the February 2005 murder, S.G. gave both a written and videotaped confession to police. But once on the witness stand he changed his story and implicated his mother.
S.G. stated that his mother had discovered that his stepfather was abusing him and that she was the one that plunged the sword into him until he died.
The prosecution stated that evidence in the home, of any kind of sexual abuse, was nonexistent.
S.G.’s mother, L.N. also stated that she was innocent. She was never charged.
S.G. claimed that from the time he was approximately 15, his stepfather forced him to comply with his sexual advances – many times. He contended that the sex acts occurred while his stepfather was drunk, and at some times, with a pistol aimed at his head.
He further attested that on the night before his stepfather was murdered, his mother had walked in on the two engaged in sexual activities in the son’s bedroom.
S.G.’s allegations were completely unhinged by the testimony of T.J.H., a friend of S.G.’s.
T.J.H. told the court that he been called to the home on the morning of the murder to give S.G. a ride.
When S.G. got into the car, he allegedly confessed to his friend that he had just murdered his stepfather.
T.J.H. said that S.G. asked for his help in the disposal of the weapon, and other items, in a trash container behind a shopping mall.
T.J.H., who admitted that his recollection was limited due to his use of marijuana, cocaine and painkillers, cut a deal – and pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution.
When S.G. changed his plea to guilty of manslaughter, he also admitted “there was no sexual abuse.” Instead, S.G. told prosecutors, he committed the murder because of the “constant arguing in the home for many months, and I couldn't take it any longer.
I snapped and got a sword.
I swung the sword two times with the intent to kill my stepfather, (S.N.), and killed him.”
Going to trial on criminal charges are daunting whether it’s your first, or your fortieth, time defending yourself. This time go well equipped – contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can for help.
