Michael A. Wisell, a 25-year-old Caucasian male, died on May 14, 2014, in Castleton, Vermont. His disappearance was noted when his family reported him missing after not hearing from him for several days. The investigation into his whereabouts led police to the home of Stephen F. Pelletier, the father of Wisell's girlfriend. When questioned by investigators at his farm, Pelletier confessed, stating, 'I made a mistake.'
He then led them to where he had buried Wisell's body in a manure pile on his property.
Pelletier told authorities that he had killed Wisell to protect his daughter, claiming Wisell was physically and verbally abusive and had introduced her to heroin. He described the situation in his home as a 'living hell.' According to his confession, Pelletier borrowed a handgun from a friend and, while he and Wisell were stacking wood in his sugar house, he shot Wisell in the back. An assistant attorney general later added grim details, stating that after shooting him in the back, Pelletier turned him over, shot him in the head, and then slit his throat.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Stephen Pelletier, a 62-year-old farmer and maple sugar maker, later pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement. During the emotional sentencing hearing, conflicting portraits of Michael Wisell emerged. Pelletier's daughter testified that Wisell was a violent man who had introduced her to heroin and had repeatedly threatened to kill her and her family. In contrast, Wisell's family described him as a kind and funny man who was trying to get his life back on track and should have been given a chance to improve his life. The judge, while noting that Pelletier had not sought help from law enforcement before taking matters into his own hands, accepted the plea deal. Pelletier was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended.
