On Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, the life of 36-year-old Terrance Durel Sr. was tragically cut short in Bangor, Maine. The male victim, a New Orleans native, was visiting the city when a heated confrontation turned fatal. The events unfolded outside an apartment on Highland Avenue, a residence shared by Durel's estranged wife and her new boyfriend, Antoinne "Prince" Bethea.
The tension had been building prior to the deadly encounter, fueled by text messages sent by Durel that Bethea
perceived as threatening. Durel had come to the apartment to see his son. An argument erupted, leading to a physical struggle involving Durel, Bethea, and a friend of Durel's. During the scuffle, a handgun belonging to Bethea discharged, striking Durel. He was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
In the immediate aftermath, Bethea fled the scene, sparking a manhunt that spanned several states. Law enforcement officials identified the 40-year-old as the primary suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest on a murder charge. The search for Bethea, who was also known by the alias "Prince," came to an end on May 21, 2017, when he was apprehended during a traffic stop in Euclid, Ohio.
Bethea was extradited to Maine to face trial for the killing of Terrance Durel Sr. During the legal proceedings, he maintained that he had acted in self-defense, testifying that he was not the one who pulled the trigger during the chaotic struggle. In August 2018, a jury found Bethea not guilty of murder but convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced to 26 years in prison, with all but 18 years suspended.
