PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A man accused of shooting and killed his mother in their Falmouth home pleaded guilty Monday. As part of the plea agreement, he will serve 27 years in prison.
The Portland Press Herald reports Andrew Leighton was scheduled to stand trial on Jan. 12 in the Cumberland County Courthouse for killing his mother, Shirley Leighton. Andrew Leighton, 43, changed his plea as the trial date approached.
Andrew Leighton, 48, had been scheduled to stand trial on Jan. 12 in the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland for fatally shooting his mother, Shirley Leighton, but decided to plead guilty instead as the date approached. His attorneys met with him several times of the last month to review evidence.
"We both felt we would proceed to trial, but Andrew, after reviewing all of the evidence, decided to plead guilty," said LeBrasseur, speaking outside the courtroom after the sentencing hearing. "Any case like this, where a son is accused of killing his mother, is a very difficult case. There are no winners."
Leighton's parents were going to have him committed for mental treatment when he shot his mother. His father left to take the dog for a walk and when he returned, Leighton told him he had shot his mother, said Assistant Attorney General Leane Zainea.
Andrew Leighton will serve 27 years in prison for killing his mother, Shirley Leighton.
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