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Bessey pleads guilty, sentenced to 22 years to life for brutal murder of his estranged wife

Gregory M. Bessey

Newark Police responded to a 911 call from Gregory M. Bessey, age 23, formally of 8A Mobile Drive in Newark . Bessey told the dispatcher on that Sunday, September 23rd night that he had strangled his wife, Sarah Bessey, age 20.

When police arrived they found Gregory along with his then 22-month old daughter, Natalie Bessey. Sarah Bessey's beaten and strangled body was found in a back bedroom of the mobile home. According to police, Sarah had been severely beaten, then strangled.

In a plea deal that would guarantee Gregory Bessey 22 years-to-life in state prison, with no chance of appeal, Sarah Bessey's family and friends filled the County courtroom on Thursday afternoon. Bessey was to plea to Murder in the 2nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The 1 p.m. scheduled court was delayed for close to 40 minutes while Wayne County Judge Dennis Kehoe heard an argument on an application by RNews to allow audio and video equipment in to the courtroom for the proceeding. The motion was denied.

Security was put on high level. Even persons known to the guards underwent extra precautionary searches before entering the building. Besides the four armed court security personnel, six Wayne County Sheriff's Deputies and four detectives were on hand in the courtroom. Wayne County Sheriff Richard Pisciotti and Chief Deputy Rick House were also in attendance.

Before the sentencing proceeded, Wayne County District Attorney Rick Healy asked Gregory to answer several questions.

“Tell us what happened?,” asked the DA. “I don't remember, I wish I did,” answered Bessey. Gregory admitted he hit Sarah on top of the head, but stated he did so with his fist and did not use an object like police and the medical examiner suggested. He also told the Court that he beat and strangled his estranged wife behind a closed bedroom door, out of sight of the couple's child. “I'm not sure how long after I hit her that I strangled her,” Bessey stated. He then said he went in the living room and held his daughter and called the 911 operator about a half hour after the killing.

Bessey's attorney, Public Defender Andrew Correia, said that he, in no way, could stand before the Court and minimize what had happened. He said three things should be entered into the record for a future parole consideration for his client. That he has had complete remorse and realizes the gravity of his crime upon his wife and her family.; that Gregory had no hint of such violence prior to the September incident; that psychiatric considerations should come into play. That Gregory had drug and alcohol issues and that this abuse led the way to the incident.

Gregory Bessey has reportedly been prescribed Serquel, a medication used for bi-polar disorders, depression and/or acute manic depression, since being incarcerated since September.

Healy said he and the family accepted the plea deal in lieu of a sentence of 25 years-to-life that Gregory Bessey would have received if found guilty following a trial. Healy later indicated that parole boards in New York State never consider parole for the first several years of eligibility and that, in all likelihood, Gregory Bessey would remain behind bars for 30 to 35 years.

Before Judge Kehoe handed down the sentence, Sarah's father, Dave Kern asked Gregory to face him and then stated: “You murdered Sarah in cold blood in front of Natalie. She was defenseless and trusting. You took her life like an animal.” He then stated he hoped to raise Natalie to avoid men like him. “You shamed your family, you killed my baby. There is no death penalty, so I will take what the law offers for now.”

Under the minimum sentence of 22 years, Judge Kehoe also imposed a no contact order of protection to prevent Gregory Bessey from having any contact with his daughter until the year 2033. Gregory Bessey must also reimburse the Crime Assistance Program a $270 fee and pay a $50 DNA state registry fee.

Following the proceedings Gregory Bessey was lead back to the Wayne County jail, awaiting transfer to a state facility.

Sarah's family members stated that Gregory never admitted the truth of why and how he killed the woman. The couple had been estranged for over a year and Gregory Bessey was reportedly visiting Sarah and Natalie at the mobile home for a child visitation. Gregory Bessey admitted to police that he killed his estranged wife in a fit of jealousy, stating she was seeing other men.

Rick Healy said this was one of the most emotional court proceedings he has ever witnessed. He too felt Bessey was not being completely truthful in his statements before the Court.

Following the proceedings, the family asked that anyone wishing may contribute to:

The Natalie Fund
Reliant Community Credit Union
P.O. Box 40
Sodus , NY 14551