Crime & Safety
Woonsocket Murder Case: Raymond Tempest Accepts Deal
Tempest technically maintains he's innocent, but the court can treat the case like a second-degree murder conviction.

WOONSOCKET, RI—Raymond Tempest is a free man. He was sentenced to time served, 23 years and seven months in connection with the 1982 murder of Doreen Picard. According to the state Attorney General's office, Tempest entered an Alford plea, which means "the defendant, while maintaining a claim of innocence, is admitting that the prosecution would have presented credible, legal evidence that would have led a judge or jury to return a guilty plea. In the eyes of the Court, the defendant is guilty and is convicted of second degree murder."
The state alleged he beat Picard to death with a steel pipe after she tried to stop him from killing Susan Laferte in the laundry room of her Providence Street apartment building.
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Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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