An Atlantic City man pleaded guilty today to killing his mother in 2014, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
A 9-1-1 call received at 6:29 a.m. on October 12, 2014, prompted the response of Atlantic City Police and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit to 1812 McKinley Avenue, Atlantic City.
Upon arrival, police found the resident, Gwendolyn Pratt, 64, dead of apparent head injuries. The victim’s son, Steven Pratt, now 47, of the same address, was found at the scene and detained by police.
Personnel of the State Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. An autopsy conducted later in the morning determined the manner of death to be homicide, and the cause of death: massive blunt head injuries.
Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain authorized the charge of murder against Steven Pratt. Pratt was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $1 million cash bail, set by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Noah Bronkesh.
Steven Pratt had been released from New Jersey State Prison on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, after completing a 30-year prison sentence for a 1984 murder.
This afternoon, Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Pratt pled guilty to manslaughter before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury. In accordance with a negotiated plea agreement, Pratt is subject to 25 years of incarceration in New Jersey State prison.
Pursuant to the No Early Release Act (NERA), Pratt must serve 85% of the sentence— 21 years and 3 months—before becoming eligible for parole. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy represented the State in the matter.