SCRANTON -- A teenager accused of killing a cab driver in Scranton earlier this year may plead guilty later this month.
He was charged as an adult, but he can't be sentenced as one because of a recent change in state law.
Aazis Richardson, 16, of Scranton was set to plead guilty Tuesday afternoon in Lackawanna County court, but it was rescheduled at the last minute because Richardson's mother wasn't in court.
Richardson was charged as an adult after the murder in May, but because of that new law, he will be sentenced under juvenile, not adult, guidelines.
Richardson was brought to the Lackawanna County Courthouse Annex for his hearing even though it didn't happen.
Richardson looks much different now without the long dreadlocks he had during his now infamous interview after his arrest in May. During that interview Richardson admitted to shooting cab driver Vincent Darbenzio of Scranton in cold blood.
Lackawanna County prosecutors say there is not a plea deal on the table. The D.A. says he will only accept Richardson's guilty plea if it's for the highest charge, first degree murder.
That usually carries a mandatory life sentence, but not for Aazis Richardson because he is still a juvenile.
"That law changed a couple of years ago. Now, with a 16 year old who is guilty of first degree murder either by a jury or a plea, the sentence ranges from 35 years to life or life without parole. So, you're looking at the low end of 35 to life, or the high end of life without parole," explained Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola.
This is the first time that new law will be implemented in Lackawanna County and prosecutors say Aazis Richardson is expected to plead guilty to first degree murder on December 22.