ST. ALBANS — Citing mental health issues, a judge on Friday handed Mbyayenge Mafuta a 15-to-30 year sentence, with all but eight years suspended, in the beating death of his cellmate two years ago.
Franklin County Superior Court Judge Alison Arms accepted the terms of a plea deal, agreed upon by State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld and Mafuta’s defense team, during a hearing Friday morning.
On Dec. 22, 2022, Mafuta was incarcerated at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans when he repeatedly kicked Jeffery Hall, 55, in the head in a closed jail cell that they shared. Hall suffered brain damage in the assault and died several months later. Court records indicated that Mafuta believed Hall had stolen items from other incarcerated people.
As part of the plea agreement, Mafuta pleaded guilty in November 2024 to charges of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the case.
In court, Arms said Mafuta struggled with “some undefined mental health issues,” and asked for more information, but specific details were not discussed in open court.
While incarcerated, the 23-year-old Mafuta will receive mental health treatment, and his criminal risk within the facility will be addressed, said Assistant Attorney General Sophie Stratton, who prosecuted the case with Kranichfeld.
Arms told Mafuta that his written statement, in which he accepted responsibility, weighed significantly in her sentencing decision. She then read from Mafuta’s statement.
“I’m sure he had his own dreams and people in his life that loved him, but because of what transpired on December 22 he’s no longer around. I could blame my hard upbringing, my mental illness and other players. However, I know I am responsible. I have to live with this for the rest of my life. Jeff’s family has to live with their loss for the rest of their lives,” Mafuta’s statement read.
Seated in court between two of his attorneys, Mafuta remained silent throughout the 30-minute sentence hearing. However, when the judge asked if he wanted to say anything after the sentencing, he responded with a matter-of-fact statement, his tone devoid of emotion.
“I will prepare myself to become an independent man and to live on my own, to be able to live a structured life, to have the mental stability to live and be around the community and not have to fall back into my past life,” Mafuta said.
Kranichfeld told the court that family members of Hall were present in the courtroom but didn’t want to make a statement.
“They have asked me to communicate to you that they are in full support of this agreement in this sentence,” Kranichfeld said.
After the hearing, Kranichfeld said the state was pleased with the sentence.
“We feel it’s a fair sentence. We feel that it acknowledges Mr. Mafuta’s mental illness, while at the same time holding him accountable for his behavior in this case,” the prosecutor said.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Man will serve 8 years in prison in beating death of cellmate.