Man seeks lesser term in public housing slaying

EASTON, Pa. (AP) - A 19-year-old facing a possible life term in a slaying at an eastern Pennsylvania public housing complex last year is seeking a lesser sentence on the grounds of his dismal upbringing.

Luis Cabassa of Bethlehem was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this year in the June 2013 death of 25-year-old Joseph Rodriguez in the city’s Lynfield housing complex.

The (Easton) Express-Times (https://bit.ly/1ujKZco ) reports that a mitigation specialist testified Monday in Northampton County Court that Cabassa’s formative years were shaped by his mother’s addictions and physical fights between his parents.

Cabassa, who was 17 at the time, apologized for his actions, saying that he has trouble sleeping because of the slaying.

Defense attorney Steve Mills is seeking a maximum term of only 35 years when Cabassa is sentenced Thursday.

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Information from: The (Easton, Pa.) Express-Times, https://www.lehighvalleylive.com