CORNING, NY (WENY) -- The woman arrested after a brutal murder in the city of Corning that happened four and a half years ago was sentenced in Steuben County court on Wednesday.

Brenda McKay, now 55 years old, killed 100-year-old Gerald Early, a World War II veteran, in his First Street home in Corning on June 6, 2020. McKay was a former unofficial caretaker of Early's, and lived in an apartment around the corner, according to police. She had been relieved of her work with Early in the spring of that year, due to COVID-19 concerns and Early's health and age.

McKay was initially indicted on charges of second degree murder, as well as first degree burglary, and manslaughter under extreme emotional disturbance. Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker says McKay pleaded guilty on October 9, 2024 to the manslaughter charge, and that two separate psychiatrists with the prosecution and defense agreed that McKay was under extreme emotional disturbance at the time she killed Early. 

According to Baker, McKay's plea to the manslaughter charge resulted in the murder and burglary charges being satisfied. The plea comes after a jury trial was rescheduled several times earlier this year. 

McKay will serve a sentence of 17 years in a New York State correctional facility, followed by five years post-release supervision.