Elizabeth Nugent.(Photo: Facebook).
The man convicted of killing a Belleville woman in her Burlington apartment has been sentenced to life in prison.
Malcolm Copeland, who was found guilty of second degree murder in the 2014 incident that left 32-year-old Elizabeth Nugent with fatal slash wounds to her neck, will be eligible for parole in about 11 years, according to InsideHalton.com.
Police were called to Nugent’s apartment in the early morning after neighbours reported screams coming from inside and got into a three-hour standoff with Copeland, who told police he had a gun.
Tactical officers forced their way inside the home after Copleand opened the apartment door to reach for a pizza he had asked for and Nugent’s body was found under a bloody sheet in the bedroom.
Copeland had claimed that Nugent attacked him with a utility knife and that she was injured during a struggle for the blade.
According to the newspaper, Nugent’s family wasn’t pleased with the sentencing decision and voiced concern after the hearing that Copeland may re-offend if released.
He had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges and refused to make a statement when given the opportunity at the Monday hearing.
