Capped plea's for 28-56 years, but judge has wide discretion over minimum term

Haydee Rivera-Nadeau during plea hearing in Strafford Superior Court on Thursday; inset, Lisa Rocheleau (The Rochester Voice photo; Rocheleau/courtesy)

CONCORD - Haydee Rivera-Nadeau, who pleaded guilty on Thursday to second-dgree murder in the death of her former partner, agreed to a capped plea that calls for a 28- to 56-year New Hampshire prison sentence, but when her sentencing comes up on Jan. 30, the judge overseeing the case will have wide latitude in her sentencing, according to the New Hampshire assistant attorney general prosecuting the case.
R. Christopher Knowles told The Rochester Voice on Thursday the at the sentencing hearing Judge Andrew B. Livernois will have wide discretion in what he sentences Rivera-Nadeau to.
"He could go as low as he wants," Knowles said.
The August 2023 indictment alleged that on May 1, 2023, Rivera-Nadeau followed her longtime partner Lisa Rocheleau, 45, of Rochester to her place of employment on Winter Street in Rochester, where she "aimed a firearm at Ms. Rocheleau's face ... and shot her."
Following Rocheleaus's death several days after the shooting the charge was upgraded to second-degree murder alleging reckless indifference to human life and a falsifying physical evidence charge for trying to conceal the handgun used in the fatal shooting, a firearm she routinely carried.
Rivera-Nadeau and Rocheleau had been in a longtime "toxic" relationship, according to a Gofundme page set up to help the Rocheleau family.
"Lisa was finally happy for once in her life, after working up the courage to leave (the relationship)," the Gofundme page stated,'
Knowles gave a little insight into what the Jan. 30 sentencing would look like.
"The state will go first with their recommendation, followed by the defense who will then lay out their argument for a lighter sentence," he noted.
Also during the sentencing hearing, Knowles said around a half-dozen individuals will be offering victim impact statements.

The judge has set aside three hours for the sentencing, suggesting that victim impact statements could numerous and lengthy.
It is expected following the victim impact tatements, Judge Andrew B. Liversnois will retire to his chambers before delivering a final sentencing decision to the court.
Knowles said whatever minimum sentence she is handed down, she will be able to petition the court for parole after she has served two-thirds of her minimum sentence.
Aggravating factors in the case could include that Rivera-Nadeau fled to North Caroline following the shooting.
Mitigating factors for the defense could include her advanced age and deteriorating health, and that she has no prior criminal record.
Rivera-Nadeau remains held at Strafford County Jail while awaiting sentencing.