Plea Deal Frees Man Who Served 17 Years For Murder For Hire

After being tried three times in a 1989 murder-for-hire case, Michael Mordenti is on his way to Alaska today, a free man.

The 67-year-old plans to meet friends, "take life easy and learn how to live again," attorney Terri Backhus of Tampa said Wednesday.

Mordenti was released from custody Friday as part of a plea agreement that took into account the years he spent in prison during legal maneuvers.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. The plea came after years of Mordenti professing his innocence in the death of Thelma Royston.

Mordenti is "still adamant" he did not kill Royston, but he agreed to the plea because he thought it was in his best interest, said Backhus and Mordenti's other attorney, Martin McClain of Wilton Manors.

"He gets out of prison by pleading guilty," McClain said. "He wants to get on with his life."

Mordenti had been incarcerated since 1991, when he was convicted of first-degree murder. Prosecutors accused him of taking $10,000 from Royston's husband, Larry, to shoot and stab the woman. Larry Royston committed suicide the day before he was to go to trial.

The initial conviction resulted in a death sentence that was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court. Mordenti's second trial, in 2005, ended in a mistrial when a jury deadlocked.

He was convicted at a third trial in 2005, but the 2nd District Court of Appeal overturned that conviction this year.

A fourth trial was scheduled for Aug. 4, McClain said.

Instead, prosecutors decided to offer him the plea deal, Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said Wednesday.

"The victim's daughter adamantly did not want to be put through another trial. She has been through so much in this case," Bondi said. "And because he has served so much time in prison, we felt it was appropriate to offer him second-degree murder and 25 years in prison."

Royston's daughter, Sherri Loeffelholz, could not be reached for comment.

As of Oct. 1, 1995, inmates must serve 85 percent of their sentences, the state Department of Corrections says.

Because of the date of the crime, Mordenti's sentence fell under the state's former sentencing guidelines. Court records show he received credit for all time served, 17 years, which with additional credit earned in prison was sufficient for the 25-year sentence.

Prior to his release, Mordenti was held at Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry. State corrections records log five disciplinary incidents for him from 1994 to 2007, most recently for cursing at a guard and refusing to sweep inside a prison recreation office.

To appear at Friday's hearing, Mordenti was transferred to Orient Road Jail from Taylor Correctional Institution. He walked out of Orient Road Jail about 5:30 p.m. Friday, greeted by his attorneys and a few friends.

The group took Mordenti to dinner that night at Maggiano's Little Italy at WestShore Plaza.

"He was eating everything that was brought to him, and was delighted to do so," McClain said.

Backhus said she shepherded him through the weekend, helping him get identification so he could travel.

Mordenti has been fascinated by the prevalence of cell phones and noticing other ways the world has changed, she said.

She described him as "pretty overwhelmed by everything, trying to take it all in."