Logan Mott, the 17-year-old who confessed to killing his 53-year-old grandmother in Neptune Beach in 2017, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday.
Circuit Judge Bruce Anderson imposed the lightest possible sentence after reading a lengthy order explaining his reasoning. The judge’s order was guided by Mott’s plea deal, which set a range of 15 to 40 years in prison.
“Logan was traumatized by diabetes, parental discord, absence by his mother, bullying in school his father’s maltreatment and … m’s [girlfriend’s] rejection and public humiliation," Anderson read. "...There was no plan to kill his grandmother. Killing his grandmother was an impulsive act. "
He called it ironic that Moot "kills the one family member he had a normal loving relationship with.”
Mott's attorney, Public Defender Charlie Cofer, echoed that in an interview after court. "You saw no evidence that the killing of Kristina French had been a part of Logan's plan. It was just an impulsive decision he made without thinking, and its’ boing to burden him forever because he loved his grandmother."
Prosecutor Joe Lincandro had argued for the maximum sentence of 40 years. In a statement following sentencing, State Attorney's Office spokesperson David Chapman said, “We believe the facts and circumstances of this brutal murder warranted the maximum penalty that the State sought under the plea agreement. However, we respect the Court’s decision.”
On Nov. 22, police received a call about the disappearance of Mott and French. Days later, JSO found French's body in the backyard of the Neptune Beach residence where they were reported missing from.
Mott was later detained by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for trying to cross into Canada on the Peace Bridge near the Buffalo, N.Y. area. He was reportedly found with three guns and a knife covered in blood.
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There is no evidence he killed grandmother as part of some “sinster sociopathic plot," Anderson said.
Anderson said that he believes there's a high probability that Mott can be rehabilitated.
“There is no doubt this is a violent act … it was a direct result of a family conflict that had been brewing and simmering for years," he said."[He is] “unlikely to offend again."
Mott faces 15 to 40 years in prison.
First Coast News will be livestreaming his sentencing.