A woman who police say was forced to cut off the head of a man killed by her abusive husband was sentenced to three and a half to seven years in prison Wednesday on charges of falsifying evidence, but she may be released on parole as early as next spring.
Britany Barron pled guilty in August to three counts of falsifying evidence in the death of Jonathan Amerault of Keene, as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Grafton County Superior Court Judge Peter Bornstein agreed to the terms of the agreement during a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
During her statement to the court, Barron, who has three children, apologized to the Amerault family while in tears and said she would accept “full responsibility for [her] actions,” according to a video of the sentencing.
“As a mother, I know in my heart that justice will never be served. No amount of prison time or sentence will take the pain away or undo the past,” she said, while reading from a prepared statement.
Barron was found with Amerault’s body at a campsite in Coos County on Sept. 22, 2020, and confessed to police that her husband, Armando Barron of Jaffrey, had lured him using his wife’s phone to an isolated area in Rindge. Armando Barron beat and shot Amerault after learning he was having an affair with Britany Barron and that she wanted a divorce, according to court records.
Britany Barron further told police that her husband had also beaten her and tried to force her to kill Amerault herself, and later directed her to help cover up the crime by removing Amerault’s head, concealing his body, and getting rid of evidence from his vehicle.
A portion of her sentence will be suspended provided she remains on good behavior and complies with treatment recommendations. With 377 days credited to Barron due to her pre-trial incarceration, Barron could be eligible for parole in March of 2022.
She has also agreed to be a witness in the upcoming trial of her husband, who has been charged with capital murder, among other crimes.
In addition to prison time, Barron agreed to pay restitution to the Amerault family, in an amount to be determined. A hearing may be scheduled by Britany Barron or the Department of Corrections to determine the amount. Britany Barron must also refrain from contacting Amerault’s family.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.