Brother Of Teen Sentenced In Murder Of Autumn Pasquale Released From Jail
By Todd Quinones
WOODBURY, N.J. (CBS) — Less than a year after 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale was killed, one of the brothers first charged in her murder is now free tonight.
Dante Robinson, 17, has been sentenced to time served.
He was released from the Camden County Youth Correctional Facility Tuesday.
Robinson and his 16-year-old brother Justin were originally charged with murder when 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale's body was found in a recycling bin next to the Robinsons' home in Clayton.
News of Dante's release has stunned friends of the Pasquale family including Jessica Gearhart who lives in Woodbury and has remained in contact with Autumn's father Tony.
"I know Tony is looking to move on and start healing as best he possibly can. He's going through a really hard time right now," Gearhart said.
Sources confirm Dante plead guilty to obstruction and was sentenced to time served.
He had been held at a youth correctional facility since last Fall.
Last month, his younger brother Justin Robinson took sole responsibility for the murder and was sentenced to 17 years in state prison (see related story).
"Our community is absolutely outraged about this. There is no justice at all even if the first brother is going to serve 17 years, he won't even be in his forties or anywhere close to it when he gets out," Gearhart said.
Tuesday night a lawyer for Autumn's mother released a statement on behalf of her and her current husband. It says:
"Jen & Greg Cornwall thank system prosecutor Tim Chatten for all that he has done in trying to bring closure to this case and they would like the healing process to begin."
Calls to Dante Robinson's lawyer have not been returned.
