American high school basketball star pleads guilty to murder

Anthony Clay-Rappaselli

In a shocking course of events, 20-year-old high school basketball star Anthony Clay-Rappaselli pleaded guilty to murder of 33-year-old Robert Bell on 24^th April 2013. The former Reading High School player was found guilty of murdering Bell in broad daylight.

The young player accepted full responsibility of his actions and was subsequently sentenced to nine-25 years in prison. Clay’s family burst into tears upon hearing the sentence, but have little choice than accepting the decision.

Clay’s defence attorney James Polyak believes that his client will learn from his mistake. "He is without a doubt, one of the most remorseful clients that I had the privilege to represent," he said.

Bell and Clay had a history with Bell’s stepdaughter reported to have had two children with Clay. Although a self-defence case was made by Clay’s attorney, the judge deemed it fair to give jail-time for the basketball players’ actions.

Berks County District Attorney John Adams respected the judges decision but admitted that the victime’s family wanted a longer jail sentence. "Of course the victim's family, they wanted more time," he said. "We have a young man who made an awful decision," said Adams. "And a young man who's going to spend a substantial period of his young life behind bars," he added.