Fort Drum Soldier Found Guilty of Manslaughter, Not Murder

by Timothy W. Scee II
Special to Newzjunky.com
Published January 31, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  The prosecution in the trial of a Watertown woman who stabbed her boyfriend to death in 2010 during a domestic dispute says it is not happy in the lesser-charge verdict reached by a jury Monday.

Krista M. Goley, 26, who was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her 21-year-old boyfriend, Timothy C. Rolland, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter by a Jefferson County jury despite her argument of self-defense. 

The jury, in its verdict, believes Ms. Goley intended to cause physical harm to Mr. Rolland but not necessarily death. 

The defense claimed Ms. Goley killed Mr. Rolland with a butcher knife when he allegedly raised his arm while her back was turned to him during a domestic dispute on Sept. 1, 2010, at the couple’s shared apartment at 111 E. Lynde St. 

Prosecutors, however, described Ms. Goley as a “controlling” significant other who had planned the stabbing and showed a “lack of emotion” during interrogations.

“I’m disappointed, but at the same time, I feel there’s still a way to get justice here,” Jefferson County Assistant District Attorney Aaron D. Carr said. “I think that this verdict indicates also that the jury has rejected her self-defense, her justification claim.”

The jury also found Ms. Goley guilty of other charges including two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree attempted assault, second-degree menacing and first-degree perjury. 

Ms. Goley will be sentenced March 16 in Jefferson County Court by Judge Kim H. Martusewicz.. 

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