PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND

20-year old, Shaylyn Moran, of Pawtucket Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to charges related to the murder of her ex-boyfriend’s mother. According to The Providence Journal, Moran pleaded guilty to first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and carrying a gun without a license, in connection with the murder of 54-year old, Cheryl Smith.

Moran was sentenced to life in prison immediately after her plea was accepted. The life sentence was for the murder. She got another 10-year consecutive sentence for each of the other charges(20-years). Investigators don’t believe Moran shot and killed Smith. They believe her 25-year old fiance’, Jack Doherty did.

Investigators say, in the months leading up to the murder of Moran’s ex- boyfriend, Leonard Troufield III, Moran and Jack Doherty began a long-distance relationship. Doherty traveled from New York to Rhode Island on December 31, 2019. He was coming to visit Moran. He brought a 9mm gun along with him. The couple headed out to a New Year’s Eve party. Doherty proposed to Moran. Shortly after returning to their hotel, Doherty decided to go over to Moran’s ex’s house and shoot whoever answered the door. Investigators say Doherty shot Cheryl Smith in the chest four times at her home on Baxter Street. She was pronounced dead on January 1, 2020.

Doherty was still in possession of the murder weapon when police arrested the couple at the hotel on January 2nd. Doherty is currently being held without bail. He is awaiting trial for his role in the murder of Smith.