A judge rejected an ex-assistant principal’s plea deal in the death of his godchildren’s mother after her own mother said she wanted a trial

A Florida judge has thrown out a proposed plea deal for a former high school assistant principal accused of killing a longtime friend and fellow educator in 2019. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Alberto Milian rejected the agreement on Friday, Nov. 6, after hearing from the victim’s mother and two daughters, who opposed the proposed sentence.

Ernest Joseph Roberts, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 41-year-old Kameela Russell, a teacher and test administrator at Miami Norland Senior High School. He initially pleaded not guilty, according to WSVN.

According to People, the two had known each other for decades and worked together at Miami Norland, where Roberts was an assistant principal. He was later transferred to Linda Lentin K-8 Center a few months before Russell disappeared. Roberts was also the godfather to her two daughters.

Russell’s family wasn’t willing to accept a 30-year sentence

The proposed agreement would have seen Roberts plead guilty to second-degree murder and serve 30 years in state prison, followed by five years of probation, where conditions are strict enough that a single social media post can put a probation term at risk. There was a moment of confusion during Friday’s nearly two-hour hearing when Roberts appeared to think the 30 years referred to probation rather than prison time. After speaking with his attorney, Roderick Vereen, he confirmed that he understood the terms and was still willing to accept the deal. Rapper Young

The case goes back to May 15, 2019, when Russell disappeared. According to an affidavit cited by Court TV, she had gone to a relative’s home in Miami Gardens to pick up her daughter for gymnastics. While there, she reportedly received a phone call from Roberts and drove away.

Surveillance footage allegedly captured Russell entering Roberts’ home on NW 207th Street. Investigators say there is no footage of her leaving. Ten days later, authorities found her body wrapped in a tarp in a canal near the property. A medical examiner determined that she died from blunt head trauma. Investigators also reported finding blood and what they described as signs of an attempted cleanup inside the house.

Russell’s mother told the judge she wanted a trial

Milian heard from Russell’s daughters before making his decision. Her elder daughter spoke directly to Roberts, asking him to look at her as she described the loss of her mother. She also told the court that Russell’s injuries were so severe that the family could not have an open-casket funeral, leaving them with a photograph and an urn, the kind of keepsake some families carry on a final trip for a loved one.

A 30-year sentence, she said, was not the justice she wanted. Russell’s mother, Linda Russell, also addressed the court, and when Milian asked whether she wanted him to accept the plea, she said no and made clear that she wanted the case to go to trial, the Miami Herald reported.

The judge then rejected the deal and apologized to the family for not consulting them before it was presented. He also granted a defense motion to recuse himself from the case. Roberts still faces the original first-degree murder charge, and the case will have to be reassigned to another judge before it can move forward. No new trial date has been set.