WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 — One of the two men convicted of murdering a retired reporter for The New York Times was sentenced today to 26 years in prison.
Michael C. Hamlin, who was 24 when he was arrested, had faced up to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery late last year. He was tried for his part in the death of the reporter, David E. Rosenbaum, 63. Mr. Rosenbaum, who had recently retired, was beaten and robbed near his home in Northwest Washington nearly a year ago.
Mr. Hamlin testified at trial that he stole Mr. Rosenbaum’s wallet but that his cousin, Percey Jordan, Jr., who was 42 when he was arrested, struck the victim over the head with a pipe. Mr. Rosenbaum died two days later.
Mr. Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced before the same judge as his cousin, Judge Erik P. Christian, in District of Columbia Superior Court later this month. He faces at least 30 years in prison and a maximum of life without the possibility of parole.
The two men were arrested after surveillance cameras photographed them using Mr. Rosenbaum’s credit cards.
The Rosenbaum family has filed a $20 million suit against the District of Columbia and Howard University Hospital, contending that he would be alive but for their negligence. Mr. Rosenbaum was at first presumed to be intoxicated and was not treated immediately.
“This is a really sad day,” said Marcus D. Rosenbaum, the victim’s brother. “This whole thing is just really sad.”
