Man Found Guilty Of Causing Death Of Mother Of 3 During Party: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A Coram man was recently found guilty of causing the death of the mother of his children in Central Islip last year, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

On July 2016, Bryan Bethea, 30, lifted 27-year-old Shantel Scott, off the floor in a bear hug and dropped her to the floor during an argument at her Naples Avenue home, according to the DA.

When she got off the floor and sat down, Bethea slapped her and Scott’s head struck a wall, the DA said.

She later went to sleep and did not regain consciousness.

She was transported in a private vehicle to Southside Hospital, Scott was pronounced dead at local hospital. Scott suffered from a fractured skull and internal bleeding.

Following an investigation, Bethea was charged with first degree manslaughter in Aug. 2016, police said.

In court, defense attorneys argued that Scott received her injuries from a fight with two other women at a party in her home and not from Bethea, News12 reports.

The jury found him not guilty of first degree manslaughter and instead charged him with second degree manslaughter, the DA said.

He will face a sentence of five to 15 years in state prison on Jan. 10.

Bryan Bethea, 30, was arrested in Aug. 2016 after 27-year-old Shantel Scott was found unconscious in her home after hosting a party in July, according to police.

Photo: SCDA