The Attorney General’s Office today announced Louis Fortier, 42, was sentenced on one count of Murder in the Second Degree in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division. Mr. Fortier previously pled no contest in the fatal stabbing of Richard Medina on March 29, 2017, in downtown Burlington, Vermont.
The Court, Judge John Pacht presiding, sentenced Mr. Fortier to 20 years to life, with the entire sentence suspended except for 6 years with credit for time served, and lifetime supervision by the Department of Corrections. The Court ordered Mr. Fortier to follow special conditions of probation that require him to abide by all treatment recommendations by the Department of Mental Health, including all medication recommendations as directed by his provider. While the sentence allows the Department of Corrections to have immediate and lifetime supervision over Mr. Fortier, the Court, along with the parties, anticipate Mr. Fortier will remain at the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital in Berlin for the foreseeable future. If Mr. Fortier violates his conditions of probation, he faces the possibility of serving his underlying unsuspended sentence of 20 years to life.
The sentence imposed by the Court holds Mr. Fortier accountable for the unlawful killing of Richard Medina, while also acknowledging Mr. Fortier’s continued need for significant mental health treatment.
“It is my hope that today’s sentencing brings some sense of peace to Richard Medina’s loved ones so that they may continue to heal from this tragedy,” said Attorney General Charity Clark.
Contact: Lauren Jandl, Chief of Staff, 802-828-3171