West Warwick

Convicted murderer to serve 20 years

A West Warwick man convicted in September of slaying a neighbor over a debt was sentenced to life in prison, the attorney general’s office announced.

Robert E. Payette, 47, formerly of 19 Maple Ave., West Warwick, will serve 20 years before he is eligible for parole.

Superior Court Judge Edwin J. Gale, who had presided over the trial in Kent County and now sits in Washington County, imposed the sentence in South Kingstown Tuesday morning.

On Sept. 15 a jury convicted Payette of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Ronald Dufour Sr.

The authorities say Payette beat and stabbed Dufour to death on Nov. 10, 2007, after repeated complaints by Payette’s live-in girlfriend, Judy Parente, that Dufour owed her $500.

Journal Staff

Pawtucket

Police: Man robbed at gunpoint in home invasion

The doorbell rang soon after Robert Helgran arrived at his Middle Street home Monday afternoon –– but he didn’t realize until it was too late that his visitors were carrying guns.

As Helgran, 53, answered the door, a man started shoving it open, said Detective Donti Rosciti.

Two men wearing gloves and carrying handguns shoved their way in, tied him up and left him on the floor, Rosciti said.

The men ransacked the house and ran through Helgran’s pockets, Rosciti said. They found cash, grabbed a computer and a watch, and fled within minutes, the detective said. Helgran freed himself and ran next door to call for help, Rosciti said.

Helgran is involved with wholesale jewelry sales, according to records kept by the secretary of state’s office. The police say he may have been targeted by his assailants, Rosciti said.

Anyone with information about the home invasion may contact the Pawtucket police at 727-9100.

Amanda Milkovits

South Kingstown

Seven charged in Oct. 22 break at URI

University of Rhode Island police have charged five URI students and two others in a rooftop break-in that caused a natural gas leak Oct. 22 at the Fine Arts Center.

During the break-in, skylights and a gas line were damaged, and computers were stolen from the Fine Arts building.

Facing felony charges of breaking and entering are: Holly L. Gagnon, 20, Riverside, a junior majoring in pharmacy; Matthew A. Marn, 20, Smithfield, a sophomore majoring in English; Russell D. Poisson, 20, Warwick, a junior majoring in pharmacy; Domenic G. Bucci, 20, West Warwick, a junior majoring in English; Joseph A. Walters, 21, not a student, of Fortin Road, South Kingstown; and Christopher J. Yanish, 20, of Cranston, a student at Boston University.

Nathaniel M. Wilson, 22, of Warwick, a senior majoring in music at URI, was arrested on a conspiracy charge.

All were arraigned Monday, released on personal recognizance and scheduled to appear in District Court, South Kingstown on Nov. 18, with a Dec. 2 felony screening.

Donita Naylor

WARWICK

Man indicted on child molestation charges

A city man has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of assault on a child and kidnapping with intent to molest the child in Warwick, according to the attorney general’s office.

Richard D. Marold, 54, of 251 Long St., in Warwick was charged with kidnapping a minor under the age of 16 on July 27 and assaulting him with the intent to commit first-degree child molestation (rape).

The authorities say Marold, on or about that same date, assaulted a minor with a dangerous weapon, a knife.

Marold is being held without bail.

Staff report