Man convicted in transient stabbing wants reduced sentence

Eric Sandefur's lawyer asks for new sentencing hearing or reduced sentence

Eric Sandefur

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The lawyer for a man, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison in the 2010 stabbing of a homeless man, has asked for a new sentencing hearing or a reduced sentence of 30 years.

Eric Sandefur was 17 years old when he stabbed Jason Jerome multiple times while Jerome slept behind a Mandarin business in December 2010. 

Recommended Videos



Jerome was a transient, and police called the attack random.

Sandefur pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

But his new lawyer says the 40 year sentence was unconstitutionally disproportionate to the crime.

The lawyer also says Sandefur was under the influence of drugs and Rx drugs at the time he confessed, and got ineffective legal counsel.