AUGUSTA, Maine — A Vassalboro man who fatally stabbed a longtime friend he claimed sexually abused him as a child has been sentenced to 32 years in prison.
Courtney Shea was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in Kennebec County Superior Court to murder for the November slaying of 69-year-old Thomas Namer.
Namer's body was found near Shea's home. He had been stabbed three times through the neck and upper torso.
The 31-year-old Shea told authorities he blacked out and killed Namer after Namer touched him sexually. Shea said that brought back memories of being sexually abused by Namer 20 years ago.
Prosecutors said there was no evidence that Namer had ever sexually abused Shea.
The Kennebec Journal reports that a tearful Shea apologized in court.