Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WARWICK, R.I. -- The Coventry man who shot his wife in the shoulder during an Independence Day argument in 2007 was sentenced to 40 years at the Adult Correctional Institution Friday.

Michael T. Burke, 49, pleaded guilty in April to assault with a deadly weapon, in a dwelling, with intent to commit murder. Under the conditions of a plea agreement reached in the case, his crime, which carries a potential life sentence, was capped at 40 years.

Judge Edwin Gale in Kent County Superior Court sentenced Burke to 40 years at the ACI, 15 to serve, 25 suspended. Upon his release, he will serve 25 years on probation. In addition, Burke is forbidden to contact his ex-wife, Deborah Fuller. He was also required to forfeit the firearm, if he hadn't already done so; pay restitution, and attend anger management counseling. Prosecutors recommended the maximum sentence allowed by the plea -- 16 years to serve -- while the defense advocated for a sentence of 7 years to serve.

"I think Mr. Burke is more dangerous than a career criminal," Gale said during the sentencing. "Mr. Burke, to me, is like a collection of dynamite. It went off once, and until he receives the help he needs to come to terms with his unspeakable, selfish and criminal acts, he remains a danger, particularly to Ms. Fuller, but I'd suggest to many others."

Burke shot his wife around 9 a.m. at the couple's home at 437 Town Farm Rd. on July 4, 2007. The gunshot injured Fuller's shoulder, and she told the court Friday that she continues to have pain and will never be able to lift her right arm again.

Burke was arrested by Connecticut State Police the day after the shooting when he crashed his car into a tree in Sterling, Conn. He had been traveling north on Route 49 when his vehicle veered off the road. The car burst into flames upon impact and Burke suffered serious injuries to his head and back. He was taken to a hospital in Norwich for treatment before he was moved to a Connecticut correctional facility. He was later extradited to Rhode Island.

 Tags  Coventry RI domestic violence Kent County Superior Court plea agreement

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.