Judge Says Murderer John Delee Was A 'Bully Hiding Behind A Gun'

MANCHESTER, NH — Convicted murderer John Delee, 23, of Salem, fatally shot Michael Pouliot outside a Manchester bar, appeared in front of Judge William Delker for sentencing in Hillsborough County Superior Court Friday.

Sitting beside his defense attorneys, Delee showed no emotion as several people, including Pouliot’s mother and father, read victim impact statements. Michelle Pouliot called Delee a coward and held the ashes of her son Timmy. Timmy’s ex-partner and mother of his child spoke about its impact on the family and Pouliot’s daughter.

The last victim impact statement came from a good friend of Timmy’s who played the last voicemail that Timmy had left. It was an upbeat, optimistic, and inspirational-sounding voicemail. Delee looked down as the audio played in the courtroom and avoided eye contact.

Attorney Faulkner of the defense team asked for a light sentence and said a lot of mistakes were made the night of the shooting. The Attorney General’s Office asked for 30 years to life and said this was an intentional murder.

Delker revealed in court Delee had written one paragraph and never took responsibility for his actions.

Delee was involved in a violent incident at Hillsborough County House of Corrections on Wednesday, where he had a physical altercation with another inmate who reportedly touched his food. Judge Delker pointed to this incident as another example of Delee being a bully. In the sentencing, he said Delee was a “bully hiding behind a gun” the night of the shooting.

Delee was given a stand-committed sentence of 27 years to life on the charge of second-degree murder and 3 to 6 years on the reckless conduct charge, which is to be served consecutive with his murder sentence. He can suspend the consecutive 3-to-6-year sentence based upon specific behavioral requirements.

As Delee entered and exited the courtroom, he waved to family and friends, who told him to "keep your head up."

After the investigation of the assault at the jail, Delee will likely face additional charges and possibly additional jail time.

Outside of the courtroom, Manchester Police Allen Aldenberg said this is an example of needless gun violence. He stressed if you are going to a bar leave the guns at home, alcohol and firearms is a dangerous combination.

Family members of Pouliot gathered outside the courthouse holding red balloons on which they had written the sentence. His mother and others let the balloons go and said they sent them up to Timmy to know justice was served.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news

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