By: Editor-in-Chief Emily Feldmesser and Managing Editor Adelle Brodbeck
Held in the arms of his 19-year-old brother, Nicholas Eber entered the Delaware County Court House Monday morning to be sentenced for the stabbing of Anthony Peddle (â14).
On Dec. 12, 2014 Eber was found guilty on counts of attempted murder, felonious assault and aggravated burglary for events that took place at the Chi Phi fraternity house in May. On Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 the charge of felonious assault was dropped.
Judge Everett H. Krueger sentenced Eber to six years for attempted murder, and three for aggravated burglary, both to be served concurrently. This means he will serve both sentences at once, spending a total of six years in prison. Upon release from prison, he will serve probation for five years. Eber must pay restitution to cover the remaining cost of Peddleâs medical bills.
Krueger emphasized the importance of the courtâs objective enforcement of the law. He declined to consider the weight of Eberâs petition of innocence, compiled by his mother Christine.
The families and friends of both victim and defendant were present during the sentencing. Melissa Peddle, the victimâs mother, told the courtroom of her and her husbandâs hardships since the stabbing last spring.
âWe are both disabled veterans,â she said. âWe suffer from severe depression and PTSD.â
She continued to comment on the fact that Eberâs attack on her son has, and will, continue to affect her familyâs livelihood forever.
During his motherâs speech, Anthony Peddle could be seen wiping tears away from his eyes.
âShouldnât Mr. Eberâs sentencing be as long as Anthonyâs?â Mrs. Peddle said.
Anthony Peddle told the court how his mental state has been altered by Eberâs actions. Peddle said he is unable to be alone and has trouble sleeping through the night.
âI still have a sledgehammer and screwdriver under my pillow,â he said. Before Eber addressed the judge, his attorney Joel Spitzer made his last remarks.
âFor the most part he was a law-abiding citizen,â Spitzer said of his client. âIf Nick wanted to âfinish the jobâ so to speak, he had the opportunity.â
In a brief statement, Eber attempted to convey his remorse. âI have been trying to live my life the way Iâm supposed to,â Eber said. âGo to school, get a job, start a family. I did everything I was supposed to do, and this still happened.â
Three members of Eberâs family spoke, including his father and younger brother. His father, Patrick Eber, said, âNick has always been one of the most responsible people I knowâŠI just ask for mercy.â
His brother John spoke of their relationship and how Nicholas Eber taught him to face high school bullies without using violence.
After Krueger handed down the sentence, Eber declared he would go through with the appeal process and requested an attorney.
As Eber was escorted out of the courtroom, he asked a deputy if he could say goodbye to his mother. Upon the deputyâs rejection, Mrs. Eber began to sob, and whispered to her son, âStay strong, I love you.â
Even after the sentencing, she continued to proclaim Eberâs innocence.