Sentenced: Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend To Death With Rock Claims He Blacked Out

[Sugar Cookie]

A man who police say beat his girlfriend to death on a Maine beach remains behind bars after his first court appearance.

Jeffrey Buchannan, 33, was ordered held without bail Tuesday, accused in the murder of his girlfriend, 35-year-old Rhonda Pattelena. The victim was the mother of three boys, and Buchannan is the father of the youngest.

Police say several witnesses identified Buchannan as the man seen Friday afternoon hitting a woman from behind and dragging her behind some rocks on Sand Shorts Beach in York, Maine. Surveillance video shows the victim being struck in the head several times.

Those same witnesses led police to Buchannan as he walked off the beach in what appeared to be blood-soaked pants. Among the evidence collected was a rock that police say appeared to have been used as a weapon.

The medical examiner ruled Pattelena’s death a homicide from trauma to her head.

According to court paperwork, Buchannan told police he saw a man running toward him and felt threatened. He says he then blacked out, and when he came to, he was breathing heavily and his girlfriend was on the ground.

Sherry Edwards with Caring Unlimited, an organization that advocates for domestic violence victims in York County Edwards says she has spoken to Pattelena’s family and friends, who allege Buchannan had a history of control and dominance over his girlfriend.

Man accused of beating girlfriend to death with rock claims he blacked out

The victim's family and friends allege the suspect had a history of control and dominance over her.

www.fox19.com

 

[Satanica]

Ah, yes, the good old "black out" defense. Since you're obviously an animal lacking self control, you should just be put down. I would settle for life w/o the chance of parole, though, since we're too civilized to do that.

 

[Alf]

According to court paperwork, Buchannan told police he saw a man running toward him and felt threatened. He says he then blacked out, and when he came to, he was breathing heavily and his girlfriend was on the ground.

Uh huh. I'm not buying what he's selling.

--Al

 

[Sugar Cookie]

My heart breaks for this boy who has lost both his parents.

No Rhonda your kids deserved a mother that put them first over a man

 

[rushman]

He can tell the prison doctor all about it

 

[Ramona the brave]

Ah, yes, the good old "black out" defense. Since you're obviously an animal lacking self control, you should just be put down. I would settle for life w/o the chance of parole, though, since we're too civilized to do that.

Generally I am in favor of life without parole because it's (bizarrely) more cost-effective, and the possibility of executing the wrong person is sometimes a remote possibility. Honestly I think her children should get to decide, once they are grown.

However, I personally would be quite satisfied for him to be put down like an animal.

 

[thuumpr]

Prison... a place he can be beaten with a rock until he blacks out...
Rinse. Repeat.

 

[Sejanus]

Cowards use the black out excuse.
Ladies, try to find better penis.

 

[The All Seeing Eye]

Hey white women- wake the fuck up

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A Massachusetts man was sentenced Wednesday to 40 years in prison for beating his girlfriend to death with a rock on Short Sands Beach in York.

Jeffrey Buchannan, 36, has been in jail for three years since he killed Rhonda Pattelena on March 26, 2021.

Buchannan initially claimed he blacked out that day as his girlfriend was showing him her favorite place in the world.

Witnesses say they saw Buchannan pick up a rock and hit Pattelena with a rock several times. The State Medical Examiner said she was hit so hard her skull was cracked in three places.

Buchannan addressed the court Wednesday.

“I’m ashamed, terrified, and disappointed in what I did. I’m not asking for forgiveness because I can’t and won’t forgive myself. All I ask is that you guys keep Rhonda’s memories alive,” he said. “I wanted to apologize to Rhonda’s family and friends. I’m sorry from taking a beautiful life away from you guys.”

Pattelena leaves behind three sons.

‘Extreme cruelty’: Man sentenced for beating girlfriend to death with a rock on a Maine beach

Buchannan pleaded guilty and waived a trial, capping the sentence at 43 years.

www.wabi.tv

 

[Satanica]

Hopefully he serves every minute of that sentence.