Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that John Cope (age 49), with a last known address of 1 Harkness Street, Providence, waived indictment and pleaded nolo contendere to manslaughter for the November 2014 death of 78 year-old Erick Brandon. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Superior Court Magistrate John F. McBurney sentenced Cope to 30 years with ten years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on November 7, 2014, Cope punched Brandon, resulting in his death.
Providence Police Detective Jason Simoneau led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney General Diane Daigle prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.
Cope has been held at the ACI since his arrest for want of bail.