Tucker Cipriano To Deliver 4-Page Statement During Murder Sentencing
PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A 20-year-old man who pleaded no contest to accusations he killed his father in a baseball bat attack that also injured his mother and brother plans to address the court Wednesday at sentencing to take responsibility for his actions, according to his lawyer said.
Tucker Cipriano has crafted a four-page statement he plans to read when he faces family, friends and their supporters on Wednesday in an Oakland County courtroom, defense lawyer Mitchell Ribitwer told the Detroit Free Press.
"He's going to talk about how great his dad was, and how his mom was amazing, how she was there every step of the way for him," said Ribitwer, who has read Cipriano's statement. "How he wishes he had his dad back, and how much he loves his brothers and sister."
Cipriano family members also are expected to speak at the hearing.
Cipriano and Mitchell Young, 21, are expected to be sentenced to life in prison without parole for the April 2012 attack. Cipriano avoided trial with the plea to a murder charge. A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing.
Young was convicted at trial of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and other charges. He also will have an opportunity to address the court.
"You might hear from him, but I'm not 100 percent certain," said his attorney, Michael McCarthy.
According to authorities, the young men broke into the family's Farmington Hills house, intending to rob the home before fleeing the state. Their attorneys have said they were under the influence of synthetic marijuana. The attack killed Robert Cipriano and injured his wife, Rose, and their son, Sal.
Rose Cipriano is now home after being hospitalized for several weeks after the attack, while Sal Cipriano continues to recover in a medical facility.
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