Teenage Girls Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Involvement in Carjacking Death

Three teenage girls have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and have been sentenced to 20 years in prison for their involvement in the dragging death of a woman during a carjacking incident in New Orleans last year.

The victim, 73-year-old Linda Frickey, had her arm severed during the carjacking. The three girls, whose identities have not been disclosed, were convicted of attempted manslaughter in relation to Frickey's death. They were initially charged as adults when they were between the ages of 15 and 17 at the time of the incident.

A fourth suspect, an 18-year-old male, still faces a second-degree murder charge, which carries a potential life sentence. The trial for this suspect is currently ongoing, with jury selection taking place after the three girls entered their guilty pleas.

Frickey's death occurred on March 21, 2022, when she became entangled in a seatbelt as the carjackers sped away with her car. She was tragically dragged while neighbors watched helplessly.

"When they were saying they were sorry, I'm sure they were," said her sister, Jinny Frickey. "Because you go back, hindsight, a lot of times, you are sorry for the actions you completed. But you did it. And, unfortunately, they did it and they have to serve the time."

One defendant wrung her hands as she stood before Frickey's family, according to an account of the hearing in The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. "That's not what we set out to do," she said tearfully of the killing, "and I hope that you all can forgive me."

"I think they really were sincere in their apology, and we appreciate that they did admit their guilt and accept their punishment and hopefully as time goes on, everyone can heal," Frickey's sister-in-law Kathy Richard told WWL-TV.

But Richard told the station that the family wants the fourth defendant to get the maximum sentence.

"He drove the car. He stomped on her," Griffin told WWL-TV. "The girls, they were all there for the ride, but the issue we had with them is they didn't do anything to stop it."

Prosecutors won't comment until the case is over, District Attorney Jason Williams's office said.

"However, we would like to emphasize the incredible resilience of Mrs. Frickey's family in response to the statements made by the three defendants who have taken responsibility for their involvement in this tragic incident," the statement mentioned. "Our thoughts and unwavering support continue to be with the Frickey family as we strive for justice and seek a resolution that honors the memory of Linda."

Following the occurrence last year, the Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, shared a nearly three-minute video on Twitter, referring to the carjacking as "horrific" and "completely unacceptable."

"We must absolutely address the issue of juvenile crime in the city of New Orleans," she stated.