A New Brighton man who choked his girlfriend’s brother to death was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison Wednesday.
Steven Maurice Abrams, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in September.
On April 14, Abrams’ girlfriend of 20 years kicked him out of her apartment after he assaulted her brother, Carlton Campbell, 58, according to the criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court.
Later that day, Abrams returned to the apartment and assaulted the woman. Campbell intervened and called the police, according to the complaint.
Abrams transferred his attention to Campbell. Abrams “threw him around the apartment” and knelt on his chest, choking him with both hands and telling Campbell he intended to kill him, the complaint said.
Police arrived and arrested Abrams, but Campbell died. The medical examiner determined the death was a homicide by strangulation, according to the complaint.