MILFORD — A West Haven man pleaded guilty to murder Thursday in the death of Keneata Nicholas.
Gerard Crosley changed his plea and plead guilty under the Alford doctrine to murder in the February 2016 death of Nicholas, who was 26 at the time. The Alford doctrine plea means the defendant does not agree with the facts the state alleges in the complaint but admits there is enough evidence to convict him.
He will be sentenced on March 23.
The minimum sentence is 25 years and the recommended term is 35 years in prison.
West Haven police officers went to an apartment building at 89 Coleman Street on February 20, 2016. Upon entering one of the units, they discovered Nicholas dead.
Police say the victim sustained ‘significant injuries’ immediately prior to her death, consistent with a knife or sharp object. One of Nicholas’ two children, was home at the time of the incident.
