Three of the four teenagers involved in the brutal carjacking and death of an elderly woman in New Orleans last year will now spend up to two decades behind bars after pleading guilty to reduced criminal charges, according to multiple news outlets.
Three teenage girls, Briniyah Baker, 17, Lenyra Theophile, 16, and Mar’qel Curtis, 16, accepted a plea deal Monday that would ultimately see them convicted of attempted manslaughter in connection with the death of 73-year-old Linda Frickey, WWL – TV and The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate they announced from the courtroom.
The trio’s deal came with a 20-year prison sentence, the Associated Press reports. The girls were originally charged as adults with second-degree murder and face life in prison, the paper said.
A fourth defendant, 18-year-old John Honore, has been charged with second-degree murder and is expected to go on trial on November 27 advocate reports, citing Orleans Parish District Court Judge Kimya Holmes. Honore, who prosecutors allege was behind the wheel at the time of the fatal incident, has pleaded not guilty.
A woman, 73, was allegedly dragged to her death in a car theft by 4 teenagers whose parents reported them
The attack happened on March 21, 2022, after Hickey was carjacked in the Mid-City area and then dragged more than a block while tangled in her driver’s seat belt, authorities and neighbors said, according to local news station WDSU.
The 73-year-old, who was leaving her job at Security Plan Insurance, ended up with her arm severed after being ejected from the vehicle, the media reported, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses who followed the development of events tried to intervene.
“I got out of my vehicle yelling, ‘Stop, stop, you’re pulling someone’. He fled with the vehicle. He was still dragging her. Recklessly. There’s no concern for human beings,” Todd Ecker told WDSU at the time.
Police said in a previous press release that detectives obtained surveillance video of the four suspects and they were arrested and charged shortly thereafter.
In a statement they shared in court on Monday, the girls expressed remorse for their actions.
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“I wish I could go back and change the outcome,” Curtis said, according to advocate. “[Frickey] seemed like such a nice lady.”
“It’s not what we set out to do,” Baker said of the killing, adding, “and I hope you all can forgive me,” according to advocate.
Fox8 reported at the time that Frickey’s husband had just retired and Frickey planned to retire in a month. The couple was looking forward to spending more time together, as well as with friends and family — including their granddaughter, according to loved ones who spoke to the publication.
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Linda Frickey.
Linda Frickey/Facebook
Jinnylynn Griffin, Frickey’s sister, also faced the defendants in court, telling WWL-TV her family was relieved by the outcome.
“I think they were really sincere in their apology and we appreciate them admitting their guilt and accepting their punishment and hopefully as time goes on, everyone will heal,” Griffin said, according to the agency.
In a statement obtained by the AP, the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office said in part, “Our hearts and unwavering support continue to be with the Frickey family as we fight for justice and seek a resolution that honors Linda’s memory.”
PEOPLE reached out to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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