Police: Man strangled in argument over money for sex

Herican Austin charged with murder of Carlton Spear

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A man admitted to strangling another man following an argument over money for sex, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Herican Austin, 22, was charged with the murder of 22-year-old Carlton Dewayne Spear, who was found dead in Fort Lauderdale in October 2012.

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In March 2013, crime lab technicians connected DNA recovered from Spear to DNA on file for Austin, police said. At that time, Austin was being held in the Broward County Jail on unrelated charges.

On Tuesday, Austin was transferred to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for a video-taped interview about the murder. When presented with the DNA evidence, Austin confessed to his involvement in Spear's death, police said. 

Austin detailed the events leading up to his confrontation with Spear, police said.  Austin reenacted his fight with Spear and demonstrated how he strangled Spear until he "went to sleep."

A medical examiner said Austin's confession was consistent with the injuries Spear suffered.