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David McDermett was accused of murdering 71-year-old Janet Vanderslice inside her Garland home in 2014.
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McDermett accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 10 years of probation.
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David McDermett was accused of murdering 71-year-old Janet Vanderslice inside her Garland home in 2014.
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McDermett accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 10 years of probation.
DallasThis week, a plea agreement brought an end to a murder case that had been postponed numerous times for almost ten years.
In July 2014, Janet Vanderslice, 71, was discovered dead from a stab wound in her Garland residence.
Vanderslice, Janet
Police were able to identify David Wade McDermett, the culprit, thanks to security cameras.
She hired him as a handyman to fix the roof.
Although McDermett was charged with the murder in 2015, the prosecution languished due to court disturbances brought on by the pandemic, a recusal by the district attorney’s office, and numerous counsel changes.
On Tuesday, McDermett entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and agreed to a 10-year probationary period.
Vanderslice’s son, who had previously complained about the trial’s delays, told the judge how he felt.
“What it does, it sends a signal to the community at whole that a heinous act such as was committed can be met with only token consequences,” said David Vanderslice.
During his probationary period, McDermett will have to spend two days in jail annually on the victim’s birthday and the day of the murder.
Since 2017, he has been released on a personal recognition bond.
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This story’s material is based on previous news coverage and David McDermett’s plea hearing.
This story’s material is based on previous news coverage and David McDermett’s plea hearing.
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