Man guilty of manslaughter in Maine cold case
Published: Oct 13, 2009 11:47 am
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A 61-year-old New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 1986 strangulation death of a woman in Portland, Maine.
Roger Bernier, a disabled veteran from Manchester, entered his plea Tuesday in Cumberland County Superior Court. Bernier told police he doesn't remember killing 33-year-old Mary Kelley, whose body was found in the bathtub of her Congress Street apartment 23 years ago.
Bernier originally pleaded not guilty to murder, but the Portland Press Herald says prosecutors gave him the chance to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Bernier faces up to 20 years in prison, which was the maximum penalty at the time of the crime.
wingnut56 says
He lost his right to be called a disabled vet when he murdered this innocent woman. There's no need to to tie other vets to one that didn't get the help he needed. You all remember how you treated Vietnam Vets when they came home, don't ya? The real kicker is you published Sgt. Kirks obituary right below it. Are ya happy now, Freeloaders of America?