Plea possible for teenager in stabbing of his uncle

AlanGomez@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

A 15-year-old accused of killing his uncle is considering a plea bargain that would limit his prison term to 12 years.

Daniel Carter faces a possible life term in prison on a first-degree murder charge that is scheduled for trial May 19.

Escambia County sheriff's investigators said Daniel was involved in a struggle with his uncle, Jack Carter, last summer when Daniel reached for a knife and repeatedly stabbed him.

During a brief court appearance Tuesday, Daniel told Circuit Judge Terry Terrell he was considering a plea agreement. Terrell quickly quieted Daniel because his attorney, James Stokes, was not in the courtroom.

Stokes was out of town, so Terrell delayed the hearing until May 6.

Under the agreement offered by Assistant State Attorney David Rimmer, Daniel would plead guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a prison limit of 12 years.

"My policy is no deals, unless there are compelling reasons for doing so," Rimmer said. "In this case, there are compelling reasons."

Rimmer did not elaborate on what prompted the plea offer, but court documents show Daniel might have been acting in self defense.

Daniel was in his bedroom late at night on July 16 when his uncle entered the house to discipline the teen at the request of Daniel's mother.

Cindy Carter said she heard the two sobbing, pleading and screaming. The altercation escalated, as Daniel's TV and shelves were knocked to the By the time Cindy Carter reached the room, Daniel started screaming: "Mommy, Mommy, Uncle Jack's dying."

Daniel told investigators his uncle was beating on him, so he grabbed a knife to defend himself. He said they were struggling for the knife when he gained control just as Jack Carter fell into it, slicing his throat.

"That was the only way I knew that would help me," he told investigators.