Rhode Island Man Gets 31 Years In Prison For Murder He Say Was Justified

During the sentencing hearing, Austin Medeiros, who admitted to killing 28-year-old Emily Lobba on April 3, 2022, argued he was justified because he believed she was a violent criminal and rapist who had killed several people and belonged to a dangerous gang called “the wrecking crew” with hundreds of members.

Medeiros was initially declared not mentally competent for criminal proceedings, but after being involuntarily medicated, he was reinstated against the objections of his attorney, Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps, who said that even after medication, Medeiros maintained delusions that made it difficult to provide effective assistance.

Lobba’s mother, Mary Jackson, noted that because of her daughter’s condition, she could not make a fist, scratch or punch and her hips were out of their sockets.

Some friends and family members were going to read their written statements already submitted to the court, but Judge Kaleb Cockrum said he could not allow this, as it would be duplicative.

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