Patrick Shelton Obituary, Death; – A 70-year-old man has entered an Alford plea regarding the killing and dismemberment of a man who has been reported missing.
Alan Bruce submitted this plea last week in connection with the second-degree murder of 47-year-old Patrick Shelton. According to investigators, Bruce disposed of Shelton’s charred remains in the Salmon River, and he also pleaded guilty to the felony charge of destruction of evidence.
An Alford plea is a legal plea in which the defendant maintains their innocence while acknowledging that a jury would likely convict them based on the evidence available.
Under the terms of a plea agreement, Bruce consented to enter the Alford pleas in return for recommendations from both the prosecution and defense for a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Additionally, Bruce has agreed to forgo all appeals and to waive the filing of a Rule 35 motion, which is a request to correct a sentence that has been imposed unlawfully or to seek a reduction of the sentence.
Bruce is scheduled to appear for sentencing on November 17.
