Braintree Man Pleads Guilty In Wilmington Man's Death

PORTLAND, MAINE — A Braintree construction worker pleaded guilty to an aggravated assault that led to the death of his co-worker and friend from Wilmington, according to Maine state prosecutors.

Robert Clarke, 35, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the Associated Press reported. Clark also originally indicted on a manslaughter charge, but the Maine Attorney General’s Office agreed to dismiss the charge as a part of an agreement with Clarke's attorney. Clarke faced a potential 10-year prison sentence before the agreement.

Elliott Fama, 44, died Nov. 4, a week after he was punched in the head by Clarke. The two were in Maine as part of a Massachusetts-based construction crew and were longtime friends, the Press Herald reported.

According to the Press Herald, Fama and Clarke exchanged blows following an argument over a cigarette. Fama fell unconscious immediately after being punched in the head and died after days in intensive care.

Clarke was also ordered to pay $6,000 in Fama's funeral expenses and serve three years of probation.