Tustin man, 80, pleads guilty to merciless murder of girlfriend, gets 5 years probation – Orange County Register

An 80-year-old Tustin man who pleaded guilty to murdering his girlfriend after what prosecutors called merciless murder and attempted suicide has been placed on five-year probation, a prosecutor said. know on 11/1.

Charles Bennett Stockwell was charged with murder on September 20, but he accepted a plea deal Monday, admitting to one count of voluntary manslaughter, according to court records. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, but his prison term was suspended and he was placed on formal probation for five years, according to Deputy Senior Attorney Mena Guirguis.

Stockwell killed 73-year-old Donna Amelotte in Tustin, according to Sgt. Todd Hylton of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

He called Tustin police on September 16 to report that his girlfriend was dead and that he had stabbed himself, said Lieutenant Stephanie Nichols of the Tustin Police Department. When officers arrived, they found the victim’s body and took the suspect to the hospital.

Guirguis said the killing was part of a scheme to kill mercilessly and commit suicide.

Prosecutors said Stockwell did not benefit from her death financially and was not entitled to a pension or life insurance. Stockwell also owes $14,000 in restitution and must reside in a skilled nursing facility approved by probation officials, he added.

The victim’s family approved the plea agreement, Guirguis said.