Man convicted in 2006 ‘Cash Feenz’ double murder asks for reduced sentencing

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LEE COUNTY, Fla. – A convicted gang member in the high-profile murder of two Cape Coral men was in court Thursday morning, asking for a reduced prison sentence.

Prosecutors say Roderick Washington was part of the “Cash Feenz” gang when they killed Alexis and Jeffrey Sosa in 2006.

Washington was granted the re-sentencing hearing after a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that said it was unconstitutional for a juvenile to receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Washington was 17 years old when the crimes happened.

His high school math teacher took the stand in court and said she couldn’t believe it when she first heard the news he was involved in the killings. She said they’ve exchanged more than 100 letters during the time he’s been in prison.

“I believe there’s good in him. That if he never got out of prison, he could still be helpful to other people, he could still improve his mind, that’s the way I saw him in school as someone who cared about people,” said Madeline Teater.

A psychologist also testified and said Washington told him he was taking Xanax the night of the murders and doesn’t remember anything about them.

In court today, his attorney that at the time of the murder, Washington was very immature, and facing intense peer pressure.

WINK News spoke exclusively to a former teacher of Jeffrey’s. She did not want to be identified, but said she felt the need to stick up for the Sosa boys.

“No child deserves to die the way he died.”

The two teens were hogtied, stabbed, then shot and burned.

“Jeffrey and Alex got a definite sentence of death. They need to learn to deal with what they’ve done, and suffer their consequences.”

The state is asking for another life sentence. The defense wants 25 years.

The judge does  make a ruling Thursday, saying he would wait until June 22nd.

Despite that ruling, Roderick Washington will still serve 30 years for two assault charges, also related to this case.

Another accomplice in the murder, Ashley Toye, will have a re-sentencing hearing Friday morning.

 

 

 

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