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Cape teen sentenced in stabbing death of his mother

By Staff

A Cape Coral teen accused in the 2009 stabbing death of his mother was sentenced to 25 years in prison earlier this week.
David Joel Hankins, 16, pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree murder in the death of Myra Rodriguez, 40. He received 25 years, along with five years for one count of aggravated battery on law enforcement officer, which Hankins also pleaded no contest to on Monday.
The sentences will run concurrently, the State Attorney’s Office reported.
Hankins, who state prosecutors charged as an adult, was facing life in prison if he had been convicted of the murder charge.
Hankins reportedly stabbed Rodriguez with a kitchen knife on June 3, 2009, after a confrontation over a liquor bottle that was discovered in his room. He then stole his mother’s car and visited friends, according to police reports.
Hankins’ grandfather found Rodriguez’s body in the master bedroom closet of her home, at 1031 S.E. Eighth Terrace, Apt. 2G. Hankins had returned to the home and was present with two friends when his grandfather showed up.
Hankins’ grandfather confronted him and the teen fled in his mother’s car, according to police reports. He led officers on a vehicle pursuit that ended with a crash at a business on Viscaya Parkway. A brief foot chase followed before he was detained by police.