WASHINGTON-
A suspect in the slaying of New York Times journalist David E. Rosenbaum pleaded guilty to murder and robbery Wednesday and agreed to testify against a relative also charged in the attack.
Michael C. Hamlin, 24, told a judge that he and an accomplice attacked Rosenbaum with a metal pipe and stole his wallet on Jan. 6 as the reporter walked near his home.
Hamlin pleaded guilty to conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree murder. Sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 19. Prosecutors pledged not to seek a maximum prison term of 60 years.
As part of the agreement, Hamlin said he would testify against his cousin, Percey Jordan Jr., who is accused of being the accomplice.
Rosenbaum, 63, retired from the Times shortly before he was attacked. He worked at the paper for more than 30 years.
His brother, Marcus, said the family supported the decision to accept the guilty plea.
“We expect Mr. Hamlin is going to have a long time in prison to think about what he’s done, and we hope he will think about it as much we’re going to be thinking about my brother–for the rest of our lives,” he said.
A report released in June by city investigators criticized emergency responders for failing to follow proper procedures after the attack. After an EMT smelled alcohol on Rosenbaum’s breath, no effort was made to determine whether he suffered a stroke, head trauma or other injuries, the report said.
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