(INDIANAPOLIS) — An Indianapolis teenager charged as an adult has pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of murder in the August shooting deaths of two siblings.
Lometreus Sanders, 16, was sentenced to 40 years in prison followed by five years of supervision by the Indiana Department of Corrections.
Sanders was charged in the deaths of 16-year-old Nicholas Nelson, 16, and his sister, Ashlynn Nelson, 15, at their home in an apartment complex on Indianapolis’ east side.
According to prosecutors, Sanders went to the teens’ home to meet with Ashlynn with whom he had been communicating. While at the home, a struggle occurred and Sanders shot and killed Ashlynn and Nicholas. Sanders, who was 15 at the time of the slayings, initially was charged in juvenile court.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears says imposing the 45-year sentence, “recognizes the delicate balance of sentencing a 15-year-old for these crimes.”