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The man who threw a 5 year old boy from a balcony at the Mall of America in Minneapolis in April pleaded guilty on Tuesday for attempted first degree murder with premeditation.
Emmanuel Aranda acknowledged his guilt in the assault that led the child to be hospitalized as part of an advocacy agreement. Prosecutors agreed that they would not pursue the aggravating circumstances of the prosecution, which would have meant an extra year of imprisonment for Aranda.
Emmanuel Aranda, 24, pleaded guilty on Tuesday for attempted first degree murder with premeditation.
(Bloomington Police Department)
Attorney Cheri Ann Townsend said the boy's family backed the plea agreement.
The 24-year-old would have told investigators that he had gone to the mall on April 12 "to look for someone to kill" and had chosen the child at random.
A BOY FAMILY TOGETHER FROM THE BALCONY OF MALL OF AMERICA THANKS SUPPORTERS FOR PRAYERS
Hoffman was projected to nearly 20 feet off the ground after being thrown from a third-floor balcony, officials said. The child suffered trauma to the head and multiple fractures, but survived.
The boy's family issued a statement in April in which it was written that "prayers were walking" while the 5-year-old was still recovering from his fall.
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Aranda was apparently angry because he had already been rejected by women at the mall and this had "pushed him to be aggressive and aggressive."
Aranda faces 19 years in prison. He should be sentenced on June 3rd.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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