MERCER, PA. Man pleads guilty to killing girlfriend
The 60-year-old Shenango Township man is facing a sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- Leon Grande said he remembers killing Deborra DeSantis in the bathroom of her Sharpsville home on May 1, 2000 -- he just doesn't remember why.
Grande, 60, of Shenango Township, pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree murder Friday in a hearing before Common Pleas Judge Francis J. Fornelli.
The hearing was originally scheduled as a suppression hearing in an attempt by Grande and his attorney, David Lewis, to get the court to throw out Grande's confession.
When the hearing opened, however, Lewis announced that a plea bargain had been reached. In exchange for Grande's guilty plea to third-degree murder, the district attorney's office dropped a first-degree murder charge.
Possible sentence: Grande faces 20 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
James Epstein, Mercer County district attorney, said that, based on Grande's age and heart and thyroid health problems, it may well be a life sentence.
Grande was accused of drowning DeSantis, 47, whom police said he was dating, in her bathtub.
During Friday's hearing, he admitted that he first held her head under water in the tub, then lifted her up and struck her head against the wall several times and then pushed her head back under water until she stopped moving.
Under questioning from the judge and his attorney, Grande said he remembered killing DeSantis but doesn't know why he did it.
Epstein said that supports Grande's telling police that he "snapped out."
Prosecutor's contention: Epstein said, however, it was clear Grande knew what he had done because he immediately dialed 911 and within minutes had detailed the crime to police.
Judge Fornelli ordered a presentence investigation on Grande and set sentencing for 9 a.m. June 7.
Epstein said police and the DeSantis family supported the plea bargain.
The victim's family knew from the beginning that this was a murder committed in the spur of a moment, not with premeditation, Epstein said.
Her parents closed their business, DeSantis Beer for Less in Sharon, and retired because Deborra had been the key person in the business, Epstein said.