Sentencing for a 16 year old Hampton area girl, who can't be identified, on a charge of second degree murder has been adjourned to April 16th. She was convicted in the stabbing death last June of 78 year old Frank Tonge in his Damascus home. The Prosecution is calling for four years in custody during which she would undergo an intensive intervention programme. Defense lawyer Dave Lutz says no one wants to see someone so young just rot in jail without rehabilitation but the court wants to make sure she will buy into the programme and willingly co-operate.
The girl, who can't be identified, was described as being very honest but extremely immature for 16 years of age. The court heard she began using drugs when she was only 9. Lutz also told the court she may very well have been dead by now had she not been arrested for Tonge's murder.