Where is Cara Rintala Now?
Cara Rintala, a 56-year-old Massachusetts resident, has been at the center of a high-profile legal saga following the death of her wife, Annamarie Cochrane Rintala, on March 29, 2010. The case unfolded in the small town of Granby, where Annamarie was discovered beaten and strangled in the basement of their home. First responders arrived to a harrowing scene: Cara sobbing and cradling Annamarie’s bloodied body, both drenched in white paint.
Cara and Annamarie, both paramedics by profession, had a tumultuous relationship history. Their marriage was plagued by intense arguments, physical confrontations, and a series of restraining orders and emergency calls to authorities. This history of domestic strife would become a focal point in the investigations and trials that followed.
Trials
Cara Rintala first stood trial in 2013, followed by a second trial in 2014. Both proceedings ended in hung juries, demonstrating the complexity and divisiveness of the case. In 2016, a third trial resulted in a conviction for first-degree murder, with Cara receiving a life sentence without parole. However, this verdict was not the end of the legal journey.
The conviction was appealed and subsequently overturned by Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court. The court’s decision focused on the testimony of a paint quality engineer, whose expertise and the relevance of his testimony were called into question. This decision vacated the previous judgment, leading to a fourth trial.
Final Verdict and Sentencing
In her fourth trial, Cara faced charges of voluntary manslaughter, a lesser offense compared to first-degree murder. The jury, after 16 hours of deliberation, found her guilty. Subsequently, Judge Francis Flannery sentenced Cara to 12-14 years in prison. This decision reflected the gravity of the crime and the years of legal proceedings that preceded it.
Current Status
Cara Rintala is serving her sentence at the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center in Chicopee. This facility, known for housing female inmates, is where she will spend her years following the verdict.
