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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- A 24-year-old Horseheads man was sentenced to manslaughter and kidnapping charges in connection to the brutal torture and murder of a man back in 2021. As a result of a plea deal, Thomas Bovaird will serve 12 years in prison followed by two and a half years of post supervision release.
According to District Attorney Weeden Wetmore, prosecutors had originally considered offering a plea deal of 22 years to Bovaird. A lighter sentence was offered considering what prosecutors said was not only Bovaird's cooperation in testifying against ringleader Eddie Marte, but that he was also not as actively involved in the situation as others were, and expressed remorse for his participation.
Wetmore said that Bovaird wrote letters, which not only detailed his guilt, but also his remorse in having participated in the brutal kidnapping, torture and murder of Juan Jose Gotay. Prosecutors say that Bovaird received 12 years for both charges, but that the sentences will be served concurrently.