3 teen girls plead guilty, get 20 years in carjacking, dragging death of 73-year-old woman

NEW ORLEANS– Three teenage girls involved in the agonizing death of a woman whose arm was severed during a carjacking in New Orleans last year pleaded guilty Monday to lesser charges and were sentenced to 20 years in prison.

News outlets from New Orleans report that the three have been convicted of attempted manslaughter in the death of Linda Frickey, 73. A fourth suspect, a man who is now 18, still faces a second-degree murder charge, to which a life imprisonment.

All four appeared in court on Monday. Jury selection for the sole remaining suspect, who prosecutors said was behind the wheel when Frickey died, began after the three girls’ guilty pleas were entered.

The four ranged in age from 15 to 17 when they were charged as adults in the killing in March 2022. Authorities said Frickey died of blunt force injuries after becoming entangled in a seat belt when carjackers sped away with her car at noon from March 21. She was dragged away as the neighbors watched helplessly.

Outside the courthouse, Frickey’s family spoke to reporters about listening to statements from two of the defendants.

“When they said they were sorry, I’m sure they were,” said her sister, Jinny Frickey. “Because in retrospect you often regret the actions you have completed. But you did it. And unfortunately they did it and they have to serve time.”

One defendant wrung her hands while standing in front of Frickey’s family, according to an account of the hearing in The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. “That’s not what we set out to do,” she said tearfully of the killing, “and I hope you can all forgive me.”

Prosecutors will not comment until the case is over, District Attorney Jason Williams said.

“However, we would like to emphasize the remarkable grace shown by Ms. Frickey’s family in response to the words of the three defendants who accepted responsibility for their roles in this horrific case,” the statement said. “Our hearts and unwavering support remain with the Frickey family as we fight for justice and pursue a resolution that honors Linda’s memory.”