Back in the spring of 2011, a violent confrontation at a transitional housing center on Stanton Street resulted in the murder of a 50-year old man. The case has now nearly made itself through the court system, resulting in a guilty plea today.
Charles Meredith was accused of stabbing and killing the victim, Stephen Rhodes, in an early morning argument at Stanton House, a facility for patients with psychiatric disabilities. Police found the murder weapon, a kitchen knife, in a trash can outside the center. The trial was scheduled to begin today but the New York District Attorneys office reports that Meredith has agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter in the first degree. He’ll be sentenced January 15.
Meredith is expected to face a 22 year prison term as well as five years of supervision after his release. It will be up to the judge, of course, to decide whether to accept the plea deal between Meredith and the D.A.
Stanton House, located near Attorney Street, is a 24-unit facility run by a non-profit organization called Community Access.
