Nicole Belonga Gets 15 to 30 Years for Killing Daughter - Updated

(Nashua, New Hampshire) Earlier today, 27-year-old Nicole Belonga was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison for shaking her 21-month-old daughter, Rylea, to death.

"A lot of your family and friends describe your good character and caring demeanor," Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge William Groff said in handing down the maximum sentence.

"But sometimes a crime is so heinous that previous character matters little. Good people sometimes commit horrible crimes. A person who testified for you -- I don’t remember who it was -- said the state was trying to make you out to be a monster. Well, you were a monster that day." [...]

But several of Belonga’s friends and relatives described her as a loving mother who spent her time caring for others and working with disabled and troubled teens. They also pointed out that even while grieving for her daughter, she managed to become president of an honor society at Hesser College.

She is a role model," said Kate Thibeault, of Hooksett, a friend of Belonga. "And a person that other people should aspire to be. I know I do."

Belonga’s sister Monique Belonga, of Hudson, made a statement on behalf of the family after the sentence was read.

"She is still innocent to us and the person who really did this is still out there," she said. "We are here for her today, and will be there for her when she gets out. We love her. I love her."

As to whether justice was served, it depends on who you talk to. Lots of controversy remains in the case.


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Nicole Belonga Guilty of Killing Her Daughter - Updated
[Previous 11/15/08]
(Nashua, New Hampshire) This week in Hillsborough County Superior Court, 27-year-old Nicole Belonga was convicted of manslaughter in the death of her 21-month-old daughter, Rylea. Free on bail during the trial, Belonga was jailed immediately after the conviction. The jury took five days to reach a verdict.

The jury deliberated painstakingly over whether to convict on second-degree murder or the lesser, included crime of manslaughter. The difference depended on whether Belonga "knowingly" or "recklessly" killed her daughter. The jury found that she recklessly committed the killing, thereby resulting in the manslaughter conviction.

Manslaughter carries a maximum of 15 to 30 years in prison. There is no mandatory minimum sentence which means she could be sentenced to virtually anything less than 15 years.

Sentencing has been scheduled for January 26th.


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Woman Accused of Killing Her Toddler
[Previous 10/13/08 post - bumped from 06/07]
(Nashua, New Hampshire) A 26-year-old local woman, Nicole Belonga, faces murder charges in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Rylea Belonga.

Rylea was allegedly killed by "strangling . . . and striking her head against a hard surface," causing fatal arterial and brain injuries.

Rylea Belonga was hospitalized Jan. 6, 2006, and died later of what doctors concluded was a brain injury caused by choking and blunt force to her head, police reported.

Belonga's lawyers have pointed out that Belonga never told police she choked or strangled Rylea or hit Rylea's head. She did admit to handling Rylea roughly while changing a diaper and while sending her into a "time out."

Belonga was due to stand trial this month in Hillsborough County Superior Court, but the case has been delayed to clarify the charges against her.


[Update 10/13/08]

(Nashua, New Hampshire) Jury selection in the second-degree murder trial of Nicole Belonga, now 27, is scheduled to begin October 20. Belonga faces possible life in prison, if convicted. According to the lead prosecutor, the trial should take three weeks.