Family Wants Longer Prison Term For Man Who Pleaded Guilty In Stabbing Death
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The relatives of a man who was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend's son said they felt he deserved a longer prison term than what he received.
Gregory Stone, of Jersey City, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter.
But the relatives of 52-year-old Jules James told NJ.com Stone deserved more than that, saying they didn't believe his version of what happened.
Stone was initially charged with murder in the July 2013 slaying, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in February.
According to police, Stone's mother and James were arguing about the electricity having been cut to their home during a heat wave. When Stone heard what sounded like someone being hit, he got a knife from the kitchen and went upstairs to intervene.
Authorities said Stone stabbed James several times in the chest and the abdomen.
"I feel that the system has failed us.'' Said Stephanie James, the victim's older sister. "For him to take someone's life like that is wrong.''
Stephanie James and her brother, Kery James, said they did not believe Stone was merely coming to the defense of his mother. Instead, they said they believe Stone intended to kill their brother.
"He knew exactly what he was doing,'' Kery James said.
Kathleen Theurer, Stone's attorney, said there was "no way'' her client meant to kill Jules James.
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