DA: Carnegie man avoids death penalty trial, gets life in prison for 2019 double stabbing

A 59-year-old Carnegie man pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder, rape and assault charges stemming from a 2019 double stabbing, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors withdrew a notice to seek the death penalty in the case against Richard Allen “Stretch” Mickens.

Allegheny County Judge Anthony Mariani sentenced Mickens to life in prison without parole. plus another 11 to 22 years in prison on the rape and assault charges. Mickens appeared in court before the judge while family members of the man who was killed appeared using video conferencing.

Luke Connelly, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene of the May 12 stabbings at a house in Carnegie. A 31-year-old woman was also stabbed and raped.

Mickens pleaded guilty to all of the charges filed against him.

“It is agonizing for me to think about him suffering and dying there,” Connelly’s sister, Kathleen Handerhan wrote in part in a victim impact statement. “Luke’s murder was a heinous crime. Absolutely no mercy was shown toward my brother over a period of five to six hours. Absolutely no mercy should be reflected in the sentencing of Richard Mickens.”

Her statement and three others written by Connelly’s family were read before Judge Mariani handed down the sentence.

Should Mickens withdraw his plea, the DA’s office will re-file a notice to seek the death penalty, said DA’s office spokesman Mike Manko.