The 22-year-old man who killed his father in their Newtown Township home earlier this year pleaded guilty Thursday and will spend the next 30 to 60 years in state prison.
Jordan Matthew Kurman, of Newtown Township, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and criminal mischief for the murder of his father, Gregory A. Kurman, on April 29.
Gregory Kurman died after being stabbed with a kitchen knife inside his David Drive home, the Bucks County DAs office said.
His wife, Merridth Kurman, told Newtown and Bucks County Detectives and she was upstairs when she heard screaming and arguing. She said she went downstairs to investigate the noises and saw her son, Jordan Kurman, drop the knife that police later located next to Gregory Kurman’s head. Gregory Kurman, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene.
At Thursday’s hearing, Kurman’s younger brother tearfully detailed the devastation the murder caused their family. “The world feels cold and empty without him,” he said.
The younger Kurman described their father as a caring and compassionate man who would do anything to protect their family, which included trying for years to help his son with his mental health issues.
Jordan Kurman, he said, was verbally and physically abusive to their parents, and he was so afraid of his older brother that he would lock his bedroom door at night and avoid being alone with him.
After hearing the statements that left some in the courtroom audience sobbing, Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller asked Jordan Kurman if he had anything to say. When he gave a cold apology, Liller said she was not convinced since he only did so after she asked him twice.
“I am appalled that you have no remorse,” she said. “That is frightening to me. I hope you listened to what your brother had to say. It was heartbreaking to listen to him.”
Liller then sentenced Jordan Kurman to 30-60 years in state prison, ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation and have no contact with his younger brother and his mother.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
