PORTLAND — A Bridgton man was sentenced on Monday to 48 years in prison, months after a jury found him guilty of depraved indifference murder in the death of his partner.

Eric Knight and Benita Preo had been in a relationship for at least 15 years when police found Preo’s body in their bedroom on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2023. Preo, who was 51, died by strangulation, but had also suffered numerous blunt force trauma wounds to her head, a medical examiner testified during Knight’s trial.

In delivering Knight’s sentence on Monday, Superior Court Justice Deborah Cashman remarked that the police arrived “only because a neighbor happened to come by” and saw Preo’s body in the bedroom, at least 24 hours after police believe she was killed.

“This was a violent and aggressive act committed against Benita Preo,” said Cashman, who also ordered Knight to pay almost $3,300 in restitution to the state’s victim compensation fund.

Preo’s daughters said after the hearing that they were pleased with what they and attorneys described as effectively a life sentence for Knight, who is 50.

“I just feel like people should know there are repercussions for their actions, especially when it comes to violating other people. And it should not be put up with,” Preo’s youngest daughter, Sierra Preo, said outside of the courthouse.

Sierra Preo reads a statement during the sentencing of Eric Knight, who was found guilty of depraved indifference murder in the death of her mother, Benita Preo. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)

All three of Preo’s daughters addressed Cashman on Monday. They described their mother, known to many as “Susie,” as someone who had endured a lot of hardship early in life and emerged with a large family she strove to protect. She was proud of her four adult children — three daughters who work in health care, a son in construction — and her 16 grandchildren. Two more have been born since her death, family said.

“She was a beautiful soul. A beautiful individual, inside and out,” said Dominique Eirby, Preo’s eldest daughter.

They also talked about how difficult Preo’s relationship was with Knight.

Mark Rucci, an assistant attorney general, cited several domestic violence and assault charges against Knight. There were two instances in 2019 in which police said Knight had assaulted Preo, only one resulting in a conviction, Rucci said in court.

Preo’s daughter Shakila Eirby said in court that her mother had just moved all of her belongings out of Knight’s home in Bridgton before deciding to return that holiday weekend. Shakila Eirby said her mother had applied for and gotten a new job, and it felt like she was close to being done, “tired of the drama and abuse.”

When Preo left for Knight’s home in 2023, Shakila Eirby said it was the last time she saw her mother.

“He took away her dreams and he took her away from her family,” she told Cashman.

Knight apologized to Preo’s family for his role in her death, saying they “loved hard and fought hard.”

“There would be nothing in the world I wouldn’t do to have Benita here,” Knight said, turning to look back at Preo’s family. “And I ask you guys to forgive me.”

Knight’s attorney, Verne Paradie, had requested a sentence of 25 to 30 years, which he said was more in line with a manslaughter sentence. The jury in April had also considered finding Knight guilty of manslaughter, which is a lesser charge, but declined.

Paradie said Knight plans to appeal both his sentence and verdict.

Throughout the trial, Knight’s attorneys described the couple’s relationship as unhealthy, saying there were times Knight was afraid of Preo, including the night of her death.

“Mr. Knight has always maintained that Ms. Preo was using drugs extensively that night and he was trying to prevent her from doing so and she threatened him multiple times throughout the night,” Paradie said after the sentencing.

Cashman said this, and Knight’s suggestions to police before the autopsy that Preo had died from an overdose, were efforts to “minimize” and “prevent law enforcement from truly understanding what had happened that night.”

“I think everyone said this was sometimes a very toxic relationship,” Cashman said. “However, it doesn’t negate the conduct of Mr. Knight. What people bring to the relationship does not ever allow for this to happen.”

HOW TO GET HELP

IF YOU or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, you can call the Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline at 1-866-834-4357.

TO LEARN more about domestic violence prevention and response in Maine, visit the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence website.