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Teenager Pleads Guilty To Raping, Murdering 99-Year-Old Woman

Friday, August 29, 2008 – updated: 6:16 pm EDT August 29, 2008

A teenage boy pleaded guilty, Friday, to raping and murdering his 99-year-old neighbor. He now faces 65 years in prison.

Eighteen-year-old Moises Opont looks older and bigger than many boys his age. He was a month shy of his birthday last October, the night he broke into his neighbor's house. Once inside, the Poinciana High School senior beat Hazel Smith, and raped and killed her 99-year-old mother, Edith McCalla. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges of 2nd degree murder and sexual battery.

Three of McAlla's daughters, all in their 70s, were anxious to hear Opont's plea.

"We got satisfaction today. I wish it could be more," said Bernice McCalla.

"This cannot bring back my mom," said Hazel Smith. "It's not going to bring her back, so I'm going to leave it behind me."

Opont's father, a local preacher, said nothing to the victim's family as he left court. His silence outraged McCalla's daughter, Pearl Sealy.

"He could at least say 'We're sorry. Accept our sympathy,'" she said. "He never did that."

Opont will be formally sentenced October 30th. If he serves the full 65 years in state prison, he'll be 83 when he gets out. Because he was 17 when he killed McCalla, Florida law exempts Opont from the death penalty. He struck the plea deal to avoid a jury trial.

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