A former Perry Town Board member and retired sheriff's sergeant pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree Thursday morning in Wyoming County Court.
Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O'Geen said Joseph Mlyniec, 61, pleaded guilty to killing Robert Irvine III on March 7.
Court papers said the killing was to keep Irvine from cooperating with a rape investigation. However, Mlyniec attorney Normal Effman had maintained his client led an exemplary life and was well respected in the community.
Mlyniec had pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in April. Monroe County Coroner Renee Hill conducted the autopsy on Irvine, which in March found he was shot four times with a 45-caliber handgun.
O'Geen said the guilty plea comes with the condition that Mlyniec is sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Mlyniec also agreed to waive his right to appeal.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14.
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