WARSAW, Ind. – An Indiana youth who was sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty at age 12 to helping kill a friend's stepfather could leave prison as early as next year.
Fifteen-year-old Paul Gingerich agreed to be waived to adult court Monday as part of a plea agreement that could see him leave a juvenile facility once he completes his high school diploma.
Gingerich would remain under state supervision for 25 years but could be placed in a group home, community corrections or even paroled.
Gingerich was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting of 49-year-old Phillip Danner in April 2010 at his home near Lake Wawasee (wah-wah-SEE'). The state appeals court last year ruled that a Kosciusko (kahs-ee-AHS'-koh) County judge rushed when he waived the case to adult court.
