Man Sentenced for Trying to Kill His Children’s Mother in Maine

A Massachusetts man is going to prison for trying to kill the mother of his children in Waterville.

He Was Charged With Attempted Murder

Irineu Goncalves was sentenced on Wednesday to 30 years in prison with all but 18 years suspended for attempted murder, among other charges.

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The Victim Says She Remembers Every Moment of the Brutal Attack

The incident that sparked the charges happened in June of last year, when police officers found Goncalves trying to strangle the victim behind the Holiday Inn Express on Main Street. WCSH-TV says Nicole Bernhardt remembers every moment of fighting for her life as her ex-boyfriend tried to strangle her and rip her throat out.

Goncalves and Bernhardt have two young children together, but Nicole says she was trying to leave the relationship for good. On that fateful day, she was leaving soccer practice, taking Goncalves to the hotel where he often stayed while visiting from Massachusetts, when a text from a male friend sent him into a rage. According to court documents, Bernhardt said Goncalves threatened to kill her.

When the police arrived, Goncalves also assaulted a police officer, Jake Whitley, including biting the officer and going for his gun. He pleaded guilty to an aggravated assault charge and violating conditions of release. In May, he was convicted in a bench trial of attempted murder, domestic violence criminal threatening, and assault on an officer.

Help is Available 24/7 at 1-866-834- HELP

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, counselors are standing by at 1-866-834-HELP (4357) or dial 211 for information about resources in your area. More information about domestic abuse can be found on the website for the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence.