Court Outcome For Teens Who Fatally Beat Elderly Man With Traffic Cone Revealed

Teens Who Fatally Beat 73-Year-Old Man With Traffic Cone Receive ‘Slap On The Wrist’ From Judge

Security video released by Philadelphia police during the summer of 2022 showed a group of teens fatally beating a 73-year-old man with a traffic cone.

The teens have since been reportedly “set free,” per Philly Crime Update on X. 

“Last month, Judge Barbara McDermott tossed the charges against the now 16 yr old boy,” the account explained. “The teen girl, was sentenced to 5 years, with time served and released to house arrest.” 

The niece of victim James Lambert Jr. has called the outcome of the case a “slap on the wrist.”

She also stated Lambert was “a gem” in the city of Philadelphia.

Two teens who were seen on video murdering an elderly Philadelphia man with a traffic cone have been set free

Last month, Judge Barbara McDermott tossed the charges against the now 16 yr old boy.

The teen girl, was sentenced to 5 years, with time served and released to house… https://t.co/DcClnYOilN

— PhillyCrimeUpdate (@PhillyCrimeUpd) March 27, 2024

Social media users were quick to blast the outcomes of the case. “Why don’t criminals suffer any consequences for their actions?” asked one.

“If those kids were white they wouldn’t see the light of day until their 40th birthday,” said another.

NYW reports the teen boy remained in the adult court system while the girl’s case was moved to the juvenile court system.

Lambert’s niece, Tania Stephens, said, “I am not pleased with the decision the courts made, and my family is not pleased as well.”

“They put out a light,” she would later add, referring to the teens.

The family of a 73-year-old beaten to death in Brewerytown with traffic cones nearly two years ago says they are frustrated with the justice system, as one of the accused walks free and the other, they say, didn’t get much time in her juvenile sentence. https://t.co/57w4Reiue5

— KYW Newsradio – NOW ON 103.9 FM! (@KYWNewsradio) March 27, 2024

Pennsylvania law bars the public disclosure of a juvenile’s record, per the outlet, but Stephens asserts that the girl admitted guilt to certain charges. 

Stephens pointed out how the girl took responsibility by delivering a statement to her family, expressing remorse, and apologizing for her involvement in Lambert’s murder.

“At least she made an attempt to apologize for her actions and, yes, she was a child, and maybe, yes, part of her had not developed and she was not aware that her actions took the life of my uncle,” Stephens said.

Regarding the boy, the District Attorney’s office has lodged an appeal with the higher court, seeking the reinstatement of charges, KYW reports.

“He was the one who took the first cone and he threw the first blow, nonetheless, even though my uncle started to run,” Stephens shared.