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Richard Drew / AP
Levi Aron, center, confers with his attorneys in New York state Supreme Court.
Accused child killer Levi Aron pleaded guilty Thursday in a Brooklyn courtroom to abducting, killing and dismembering Leiby Kletzky, the 8-year-old boy who was kidnapped when he got lost walking home from day camp in Borough Park last July.
A visibly heavier Levi Aron answered questions from Judge Neil Firetog in mostly one- or two-word responses. After he admitted "smothering" Leiby with a towel, Firetog asked Aron what he did next.
"Got rid of the body," said Aron.
Aron's plea is a milestone in the gruesome and heartbreaking case, which gripped the city and rocked the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community of both Aron and Kletzky. It also provides a measure of relief for Kletzky's devastated parents, who wanted to avoid the anguish of a trial, a family spokesman said.
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State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who represents the district that includes the Kletzky family's Hasidic community, read a statement from the parents in court Thursday.
"There is no way to comprehend the pain ... our little boy Leiby was ruthlessly taken from us. Today we have receieved some partial closure. A day does not pass without thinking of Leiby ... may our son's soul rest in peace and continue to advocate in heaven for all mankind," he read.
"We want to thank DA Hynes for bringing this to a quick resolution ... and not forcing us ... to relive this. We are grateful to God for giving us Leiby and our other children. God did not abandon our son or our family for even one second."
The judge will sentence him to 40 years to life on Aug. 29.
Last week, sources told the station that a tentative plea deal called for a sentence of 40 to 60 years in prison for Aron. He had previously pleaded not guilty.
Aron's attorney declined comment last week, as did the Brooklyn district attorney's office.
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"The family very much wanted to avoid a trial," Hikind said last week. "The pain they would go through is beyond comprehension. They are content with this and this is what they wanted."
Hikind, who said he would read the Kletzky family's statement in court, continued: "Leiby will always be missed. They want to go on with life as best they can. The family feels this will be justice ... They know it will not bring Leiby back."
Kletzky went missing July 11 of last year while walking home from religious day camp, the first time he was allowed to walk by himself. He missed his turn and got lost, and police say he approached Aron for help.
About two days later, the boy's severed feet were found in the freezer at Aron's apartment, along with bloody knives and a carving board. The rest of the boy's body was found in a red suitcase in a trash bin several blocks away. His legs had been cut from his torso.
According to prosecutors, Aron admitted he killed the boy after he panicked when he saw posters with the child's photo. After the two met on the street, Aron took the boy to a wedding upstate, then to his apartment.
Read a redacted transcript of his confession here.
The child remained at the apartment alone all day while Aron was at work. When Aron returned, he took a bath towel and smothered the boy, he said, according to authorities.
The medical examiner's office said the boy was given a cocktail of prescription drugs. But Aron's confession didn't mention that, and he denied ever tying up the boy, though marks were found on the child's body.
A court-ordered evaluation in August found Aron fit to stand trial on murder charges, but said he is deeply troubled, with an adjustment disorder and a personality disorder with schizoid features.
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Leave a Comment:
I hope his time in prison is horrific. May he suffer all the indignities prison has to offer.
Why did he kill the boy?? Smothered him the dis-membered the body, but why??
40 years with 20 off fo rgood behavior. He is plenty young enogh to get out and do it again. Nly in the communist states of American (NY) would a leftist judge let this go this easy. They should burn this guy and the judge with him.
@ Seven2Seven,
He claimed last year he was too scared to let the child go. He didn't' want to get caught. The death penalty is too good for these monsters. We need to bring back public hangings or start broadcasting executions!
Oh, he won't last long in prison. Inmates will find out what the crimes are and he'll become somones bitch, if he's not murdered in prison first. Child rapists usually usually have it the worst off, but a child killer will actually wish he had the death penalty instead.
1. He'll be in protective custody so the other inmate will get at him.
2. We had public executions for almost 200 years in America it didn't stop crime.
MOST EVERYONE IS GOING TO HATE THIS COMMENT. BUT HERE'S MY TWO CENTS. i believe in a higher power, i should say first. but the family saying " god never abandoned lieby or her family?????? ummm he was coming home from a religious event. NOTE; the first time he was allowed to walk by himself; was picked up by a crazy, sick , F**K, and dismembered!!!! THEY ARE A CHRISTIAN FAMILY. They should'v been watched over by god more than the usual person, like me. if god didnt abandon them then, WHAT IS ABANDONMENT?? WOWWW, i am so amazed at the power of religion.
Man can be so foolish. When things are going well for him, he will deny God. But when things go wrong, Man is quick to say: "God, where were you"? God has infinite wisdom. He is all-knowing. He gave this little boy to his family for 8-years. That is a blessing. Now He has decided to test them by taking away their blessing. Will they recognize how blessed they have been, and be patient? or will they turn their back on God? I am not surprised that you have a hard time comprehending this. You have reject God's guidance and turned your back on Him. So He has ceased guiding you, and turned away from you.
Just to clear up the family was Jewish therefore not Christian. Maybe they look at the fact that the boy was given a cocktail that sedated him before this monster smothered him with the towel. Why do people question others faiths, if believing that God did not forsake them makes this easier for them then so be it. I pray that this young man didn't feel anything. And I pray this monster never sees the light of day out of barred windows. I don't care what his mental issues were, if he was capable of doing this once, he could crack and do it again.
I hope they put him in general population where true justice may be served!
Isn't it sad that the public needs to have incarcerated prisoners implement true justice instead of the courts? The fact that this man will probably get out a lot sooner than 40 years is also a sad reality. His time could be cut in half because of "good behavior", then reduced again the relieve prison overcrowding, and finally the parole board could set him free if he takes school courses, attends counseling sessions, etc. This killer could get out in less than 10 years. Its happened before. There was a case in Florida of a guy convicted of murder, sentenced to 35 years, who was released on parole after 8 years. Within 3 months of his release, he abducted, raped, and murdered a mother on her way home from work. I honestly believe that if someone intentionally kills, he should not be eligible for parole at all. He should have to serve every single day of his sentence. His victim doesn't get paroled from his grave, so why should the murderer be set free for the opportunity to kill again?
Horrible and senseless. My heart hurts so much for the relatives and acquaintances of this little boy -- mere words cannot express my sorrow.
I have to agree with Sam-501119: I hope his time in prison is horrific. May he suffer all the indignities prison has to offer.
I generally don't wish terrible things on people, but I, too, hope he suffers everyday of his natural life and the life after.
And, I hope the family is able to find peace one day after such a senseless and tragic loss.
Some people are simply evil to the core, I would say this man will rot in hell for what he did to that precious little boy.
After he got frustrated with the child's lack of knowledge as to how to get home, all he had to do was to have a shopkeeper call the NYPD for help. The shopkeepers would have gladly helped. He could have continued on his way to his destination without any more dealings with the child. That community has numerous social networks that properly deal with lost children every day. How sad that the child asked for help from the one member of the community who did not know how to use any of them.
So sad for that family. Hopefully they can move forward the best they can from now on.
What's up with his lawyer's hair? Yikes. Does he polish combat boots with that mop?
If all they are going to give him is 40 years, could he at least serve his time dismembered?
Of course, we need to ban towels, so this never happens again.
I enjoy a fellow human who thinks correctly. Bravo dog man.
Ya cuz remember when that guy walked into that crowded mall with a towel??? What a massacre that was.
Absolutley ban towels and also ban any knife sharper than a butter knife.
Does this freak think he's going to get a slap on the wrists again? In prison baby raper/killers are kept seperate and away from the general population. It's time for this government to stop saving these monsters and start killing them. I prefer to "draw and quarter" all baby raper/killers. And not let the f##king attourneys waiste millions running this guy through the courts. KILL HIM NOW!
Although not tied to any organized religion (rather spiritual instead), I remember reading in an English edition Torah that if you want God to forgive you of your sins, you must ask the person you sinned against if they will forgive you. If they don't, or CAN'T BECAUSE YOU MURDERED THEM, God will not forgive the sins either. This family has faith, and I am sure they know that this man will suffer - one way or another (I'm all for the prison justice to start now!)
So sad......but I must say as a mother, 8 years old is WAY TOO YOUNG to walk home alone!
please, please! don't start the blame game. every parent makes the best decisions they can, based on factors that the rest of us just don't know. these were clearly loving, caring parents. leave your self-righteousness out of it.
Tgurl when I was eight years old I was riding bicycles on old country roads by myself. These are people who they attended the Synagogue with, they worshipped with this man. They trusted in their neighbors to keep their little boy safe. It just so happens this little on wondered upon this monster to ask for help.
That was imperitive to mention?
When we (my brother and I and our cousins) were kids...in the 70's lest you think I am ancient...we rode our bikes all over town and stayed gone until dinner time...and lived. We could ask a stranger for help, but also were aware of the fact that there were BAD people and to never go anywhere with a stranger. We ALL teach our kids these things...and while in this day and age, I wouldn't allow my child out alone...this is all about what kind of community you live in and the level of maturity of the child. This could have happened just as easily to a 13 year old, a 16 year old...or an adult...and it does.
People like you throwing salt in the wound of an already painful situation...I just have to say...way to go Captain Obvious...what was the point? I mean if I lived in a tight-knit religious community such as this, I may be more inclined and comfortable with allowing my child to walk home at that age...but you, you irritate the poop out of me.
So now, we the tax payer, are rewarded to pay for this worthless piece of ejaculate for 40 years in the prison system? Can he be rehabilitated? Of course not!
Release him into general population at the prison and let the inmates deal with him.
Why 40 years and not life in prison? There is no reason whatsoever to ever let this man see freedom.
The judge will sentence him to 40 years to life on Aug. 29., you can bet the parole board will never see to releasing him at 40 years.
kill a child and hang,,,for it..they wont do it again..
Dear human beings,
Please stop killing innocent living beings. You're all phukked up in the head. Go find a god damned healthy hobby. Crazy bitches.
Love,
Douglas
An Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth. He should die the same way in a Public place just like they do in Saudi Arabia.
Yes. That's exactly what we need. To be more like saudi arabia. Should we f*ck goats also?
Carl, move to Saudi Arabia since you are for their justice system.
This pos will be killed In prison....which will bring a tear to no ones eye.
I can understand the parents not wanting to go to trial but, the judge should give him death for his crime, the guy is a monster.
New York doesn't have the death penalty. Not much the judge can do about that.
What is dealt to him on earth is nothing...God will punish him and eternity a a loooooonnnnnnggggg time....he will burn....
What to heck is an "adjustment disorder"? Seriously
He will get his!
And I will strike down upon thee with great vengence and furious anger![I think thasss it]
i suppose he is mentally unstable too, like the Batman shooter. Looking at his legal counsel, i'd say they don't look too stable either...all the worst to him.