Man charged in Jackson woman's death pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder

Brandon Mitchell (Police mugshot)

LACONIA - Brandon Mitchell, 23, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Belknap Superior Court to one count of reckless second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Esmae Doucette, 23, of Jackson, on Nov. 30, 2022.

Mitchell's guilty plea was entered pursuant to a capped plea agreement. As part of the plea agreement, the alternative count of knowing second-degree murder and the charge of falsifying physical evidence will be dismissed, according to a statement from the Attorney Generals Office on Wednesday.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1 during which the state will argue that Mitchell should be sentenced to 35 years to life in State Prison on the reckless second-degree murder charge.