WASHINGTON, USA (AP) – One of the men who killed veteran New York Times journalist David E Rosenbaum was sentenced yesterday to 26 years in prison, after pleading for forgiveness from Rosenbaum’s relatives.

Michael C Hamlin, 24, had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in last January’s attack and testified against his cousin and co-defendant Percey Jordan, 42. A jury convicted Jordan in October of first-degree murder this month.

Rosenbaum, 63, had retired from the Times shortly before he was beaten to death on January 6 near his home in a quiet north-west Washington neighbourhood. The attackers hit Rosenbaum in the head with a heavy plastic pipe and stole his wallet. The longtime Washington journalist died two days later.

The murder exposed problems with city emergency procedures after first responders failed to assess Rosenbaum’s injuries. A report released in June by city investigators said a medic smelled alcohol on Rosenbaum’s breath and thought he was intoxicated. No effort was made to determine whether he was injured or suffered a stroke, the report said.

Rosenbaum’s family has filed lawsuits against the city and Howard University Hospital, where they said Rosenbaum waited 90 minutes to see a physician, and four hours for a neurological exam.

Rosenbaum’s brother, Marcus, has said the $20-million (euro15-million) lawsuit is a way to pressure the city and hospital to correct a broken emergency response system.