Prosecutors: Teen in Israel to plead guilty in '97 killing

The Associated Press

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- A Maryland teenager accused of killing and dismembering an acquaintance will plead guilty to murder in a Tel Aviv courtroom next week in a case that caused an international dispute over jurisdiction.

Samuel Sheinbein, 19, fled to Israel two years ago to escape Maryland murder charges in the death of Alfredo Tello Jr., also 19. The killing also roiled Maryland Latinos, who accused prosecutors of negligence in allowing Sheinbein to escape.

Under terms of a plea agreement announced Tuesday by Maryland State's Attorney Douglas Gansler, Israeli prosecutors and attorneys for Sheinbein will recommend a 24-year sentence for the teen, who would be eligible for parole after serving about 16 years -- or two- thirds of his sentence. He could leave prison on weekend furloughs in four years.

Last month, Sheinbein pleaded innocent in an Israeli court.

Ido Baum, spokesman for Israel's Justice Ministry, confirmed the agreement but said he had requested the Americans withhold disclosure until Sept. 2, when Sheinbein is scheduled to enter his plea in court.

Eitan Maoz, an attorney for Sheinbein, refused to comment other than to say any developments would be heard at the court appearance next week.

Sheinbein, who claims Israeli citizenship through his Israeli-born father, will serve his sentence in Israel.

Tello's burned and dismembered body was found in an empty garage near Sheinbein's home in Aspen Hill, Md., on Sept. 18, 1997. Sheinbein fled to Israel several days later.

Tello's parents had Gansler release a statement: "The Tello family feels that justice has not been achieved in this case, that Mr. Sheinbein and his family have continually manipulated the judicial systems of both Israel and the United States."

Once Sheinbein is freed, he still could be arrested and charged with first-degree murder if he tried to enter the United States or any country that belongs to the international police organization Interpol, Gansler said.

Sheinbein's father, Sol, who lives in Israel, faces obstruction of justice and hindering investigation charges in Montgomery County, Md., Gansler said.

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.