A Maine man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murders of his mother and her boyfriend in 2021.
Matthew Cote, 26, initially pleaded not guilty to the murders of Cheryl Cote and Daniel Perkins on June 17, 2021, but changed his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity when the trial began last month, WMTW reports.
Cote was also charged with arson for setting fire to the home — which he shared with his mother and Perkins — after the murders.
A retired firefighter happened to drive by the home a little after 5 a.m. on June 17 and spotted the fire, as CrimeOnline reported. After calling 911 he attempted unsuccessfully to get into the home.
Cheryl Cote and Perkins were found shot to death inside.
Authorities pulled Cote, driving his mother’s Chevy Trailblazer, over during a traffic stop in Limington; he was subsequently detained after his interview with investigators.
“Once I snapped, I couldn’t stop,” Cote allegedly told police, am affidavit states.
Family members said at the time that Cote suffers from mental health issues, and they repeated those claims at sentencing last week.
“This tragedy has affected many people, including Matthew, who has now also lost his mother and the only home he had known for most of his life,” said Cote’s aunt, Megan DiDonato.
Cote also spoke to the court.
“I’m just very sorry, and I apologize to everybody,” he said.
Cote was sentenced to two life terms for the murders and 30 years for arson. He was also ordered to pay $3,348 in restitution.
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[Featured image: Matthew Cote/WMWT screenshot]
