Worcester man pleads guilty in slamming death

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A Worcester man who slammed another man's head to the ground, resulting in the victim's death days later, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Albert Wheaton was sentenced to up to seven years in prison Tuesday in connection with the January 2012 death of 48-year-old Joseph Gubish.

Prosecutors say surveillance video and witnesses indicated that Gubish had just exited a cab when Wheaton grabbed him by his face and shoved him to the ground, causing injuries that resulted in his death at a hospital three days later.

The Telegram & Gazette (http://bit.ly/ZpFAwr ) reports that an autopsy determined Gubish died from blunt force trauma to his head and neck that caused injuries to his spinal cord and brain.

Wheaton's lawyer said his client's mental illness "clearly played a role" in the attack.

Cox Media Group