Theopulus Gordon could have prevented the death of Eric Robinson last September, but he didn’t.When he committed his crime, 34-year-old Bruce W. Christlieb was stabbed by the 13-year-old son of his ex-girlfriend.
On Monday, Christlieb was sentenced to eight years in prison and two years on probation for a single charge of burglary, a Class B felony.
In August, Christlieb reached through the open window of a home and grabbed the boy around the neck, choking him and threatening him. After the boy broke free and shut the window, Christlieb then forced open the back door of the home. The boy dialed 911, gave the phone to his mother and grabbed a knife.
When Christlieb again grabbed the boy around the neck, the boy stabbed him in the chest, according to court records.
Allen County prosecutors charged Christlieb with burglary and battery to a child, a Class D felony. In December, he pleaded guilty to the burglary charge.
On Monday, Allen Superior Judge John Surbeck sentenced Christlieb to 10 years in prison, but suspended two years and ordered it to be served on probation.
The police said at the time of the burglary it appeared the boy acted in self-defense.
