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Queens Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Killing Over iPhone

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens man will serve 20 years behind bars for his part in the killing of a teenager over his iPhone, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported Wednesday.

Stephon Huffman, 19, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in July. Prosecutors say that, in July 2011, Huffman and three other teenagers chased down 17-year-old Patrick Dixon in South Jamaica in an effort to steal his iPhone. The group allegedly put Dixon in a choke hold and demanded the phone. When he struggled, one of the suspects cut his neck with a razor blade, prosecutors say.

Queens Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Killing Over IPhone

"This was an incredibly violent attack in which a teenage boy's throat was slashed with a razor blade as he fought for his life after being chased and restrained by the defendant and several alleged accomplices," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in news release. "A young life was senselessly cut short over a cellphone and the young men allegedly responsible for the death face serious consequences. Today's sentence is necessary to punish the defendant for his active participation in this attack."

The three other defendants are awaiting trial, including Jose Hereidia, who allegedly stabbed Dixon and is charged with second-degree murder.

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