PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A 21-year-old man charged in an attack that left another man dead in Portland, Maine, has been sentenced to 2½ years in prison.
William Googins of Gray was sentenced Wednesday in the death of 24-year-old Eric Benson of Westbrook on May 23, 2010, in Portland’s Monument Square. Police say Googins exchanged words with Benson, who was walking with a female friend, before Googins punched Benson once. Benson fell to the pavement, and died hours later at Maine Medical Center.
A manslaughter charge was dropped in a deal in which Googins pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The Portland Press Herald reports that he apologized to Benson’s family saying he knew he couldn’t take away the pain.
The judge called the situation “unbearably sad” and said it was largely fueled by alcohol.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
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