Couture sentenced to 25 years to life for murder of elderly woman

PLATTSBURGH A former Mooers Forks man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in the beating death of 72-year-old Alphegina Snide last October. David D. Couture, 28, was sentenced in Clinton County Court Sept. 5 to 25 years to life on the charge of second-degree murder and 25 years determinate on first-degree burglary, among other consecutive sentences for third-degree and fourth-degree grand larceny. Couture reportedly beat his then neighbor with a sledgehammer upon her awakening to find Couture in her bedroom attempting to rob her. Police said he then stole her money and 2001 Buick LeSabre. He was later arrested in Phoenix and brought back to Mooers to face the charges against him. Couture was previously arrested in unrelated January 2003 incident for allegedly breaking into a Champlain home and stealing money. The following sentencings also took place in Clinton County Court during the month of September: Bruce Bonville, 51, Plattsburgh, was sentenced to seven years determinate on a charge of second-degree assault, one year in jail on a charge of unlawfully dealing with a child, and three years probation. Bonville was found guilty after trial and was further ordered to pay $6,000 in fines, and surcharges. An order of protection was further issued against him. Jeffrey LaValley, 29, Plattsburgh, pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance Sept. 5. He was sentenced to three years prison on each count to run concurrently, including restitution. Maurice Burdo Jr., 27, Plattsburgh, was sentenced to three years in prison and five years post-release supervision Sept. 5. Burdo pleaded guilty June 28 to second-degree attempted robbery and second-degree attempted burglary. As a second felony offender, he was also ordered to pay restitution and an order of protection was issued against him. Michael Lilledahl, 37, Plattsburgh, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay a fine, surcharge and restitution. His license was also suspended. Lilledahl pleaded guilty May 17 to fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Bruce Weixel, 47, Morrisonville, pleaded guilty and was sentenced Sept. 10 to 1 1/3-4 years in prison for a felony charge of driving while intoxicated. He was further ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, $295 surcharge and $50 fine for having no headlights. Mark McDonald, 28, Mooers Forks, was sentenced Sept. 10 to 15 days jail conditionally discharged upon 50 hours community service and five years probation. McDonald pleaded guilty June 21 to felony DWI and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He was further ordered to pay $3,000 in fines and a $295 surcharge, and was sentenced to electronic home monitoring. Richard Garrant, 43, Plattsburgh, was sentenced Sept. 25 to five years probation to include Clinton County Drug Court, $1,500 fines and a $275 surcharge. Garrant pleaded guilty Oct. 2, 2006, to felony DWI and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Rudy Franklin III, 22, Plattsburgh, was sentenced Sept. 18 to 1 1/2 to 3 years in state prison. Franklin pleaded guilty July 17 to third-degree rape. Mark Fornier, 55, Schuyler Falls, was sentenced Sept. 18 to 1-3 years in prison on a felony DWI charge, for which he pleaded guilty July 26. He was further ordered to pay a fine/surcharge for a charge of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Michael Cannon, 19, Chazy, was sentenced Sept. 10 to 30 days in jail, five years probation, and 200 hours community service. Cannon pleaded guilty June 29 to a charge of third-degree burglary. He was further ordered to pay a fine, surcharge and restitution. Travis Skelly, 26, Plattsburgh, was sentenced Sept. 11 to five years probation with Clinton County Drug Court. Skelly pleaded guilty Sept. 8 to felony DWI and was further ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $295 surcharge. Dennis Pike, 33, Plattsburgh, admitted violation of probation Sept. 10 and was sentenced the same day to six months house arrest with electronic monitoring and continued probation.

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Couture sentenced to 25 years to life for murder of elderly woman

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