Man Who Killed Grandpa At 14 Could Have Chance At Freedom

NILES, Mich. (AP) - A young Michigan man who killed his grandfather at age 14 is returning to court for a sentence that will someday give him a chance at freedom.

A Berrien County judge has scheduled a hearing on Friday for Dakotah Eliason, who's now 19.

He killed his grandfather five years ago and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. But Judge Scott Schofield says he's prepared to reduce the sentence, possibly to a minimum of 25 years, which would then trigger the parole process.

The judge says Eliason can be rehabilitated.

Eliason is benefiting from a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The court said teens convicted of murder can't automatically get no-parole sentences like adults. Judges now have more options and can explore a killer's childhood and other factors.