HOULTON (AP) – A Houlton man was handed a 13-year prison term Thursday for felony murder in the slaying of a woman who was found beaten and stabbed to death in her motel room in December 2005.

Daniel Boles, 31, appeared in Aroostook County Superior Court, where he was sentenced to 25 years with all but 13 years suspended. He also faces four years of probation following his release.

Boles had been charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge. Felony murder carries a maximum sentence of 30 years, while murder is punishable by 25 years to life.

Boles who entered his plea last month, told police he bought drugs from Jacqueline Shorey, 57, but denied killing her.

He said two men he brought to the Scottish Inn Motel intended to rob her, and they had blood on their hands when they returned to his car.

The men implicated by Boles denied any involvement and have not been charged.

AP-ES-04-19-07 1710EDT