Plantation Man Pleads Guilty In NSU Professor's Murder
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – One of two Plantation men accuse of kidnapping, robbery, arson and murder in the death of a Nova Southeastern University professor has accepted a plea deal from prosecutors.
In exchange for testimony against his co-defendant, which happens to be his own father, 23-year old Randy Tundidor agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges which removed the death penalty as an option during sentencing, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Tundidor and his father, 44-year old Randy Tundidor Sr. reportedly attacked Joseph Morrissey and his wife in their home last April. Tundidor allegedly planned the planned the attack because he was about to be evicted from the home he rented from Morrissey.
On the night of the sixth, the Tundidors allegedly broke into the Morrissey home, forced the couple to drive to a nearby ATM and withdraw month, then returned to the home where they tied the wife up and stabbed Morrissey to death. They are also accused of setting a fire in the home before they left. Morrissey's wife was able to escape after the couple's five year old son, who had been a sleep in his room, brought his mother a pair of scissors which allowed her to cut through her bonds.
Tundidor Sr. was scheduled to go on trial in September; that will now be rescheduled after his son accepted the deal.
Tundidor Jr. faces up to life in prison when he's sentenced.
