By David Madden

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – An Egg Harbor Township man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for a murder he committed 21 years ago.

Jarrod Stevens was 15 when he admitted to holding up a local sporting goods store in 1991, and killing
49-year-old employee Walter Lee. But when his case was considered in adult court, everything was put on hold.

“He was found incompetent to stand trial and for 20 years he has been housed at either the Ann Klein Forensic Facility and then eventually moved to Ancora Hospital,” said Atlantic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pam D’Arcy.

Until last July, when psychiatrists reversed that decision. A plea bargain has resulted in a minimum 30 year jail term. But Stevens, now 37, gets credit for time served.

Many members of Lee’s family have attended every court hearing over the last two decades and expressed relief that, at the last one, it was Lee that got the attention.