Florida man gets 25 years after fatally beating girlfriend with hammer when she told him to move out
05/16/2022 2:54 pm PDT
FORT MYERS, Fla. (TCD) -- A 52-year-old man was recently sentenced to 25 years for fatally beating his girlfriend with a hammer in February.
According to the initial press conference from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, an investigation was launched after two residents went missing, James Lally, and his girlfriend, 51-year-old Suzanne LaPierre.
The two were reportedly last seen at LaPierre's home in the 12000 block of Apollo Drive. When detectives arrived at the home, they "discovered a bloody scene," and their investigation revealed that LaPierre had been beaten to death with a hammer, the Sheriff's Office says.
According to the Fort Myers News-Press, authorities discovered bloody towels, a bloody rake, and bloody body-drag marks throughout the house. LaPierre's mother reportedly became concerned after not hearing from her daughter for a few days, and she found LaPierre's home covered in blood.
On Feb. 20, the Sheriff's Office says Lally was arrested in Jacksonville, where he fled after fatally beating his girlfriend.
In a press release, Florida State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit Amira Fox said Lally committed the crime after his girlfriend told him to move out of their home.
On Monday, May 16, Fox announced that Myers pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder.
Fox said the victim's mother requested the plea agreement for early resolution.
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