Manchester Woman Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in Fatal Attack on Roommate

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In a dramatic turn of events, Mary Carbone, a 60-year-old woman from Manchester, pleaded guilty on Monday to aggravated manslaughter in the 2020 death of her roommate and occasional lover, Frank Sochel. Originally facing a murder charge, Carbone accepted a plea bargain that guaranteed her a 10-year prison term, significantly less than the minimum for murder.
The case, which was set to go to trial next week, saw Carbone abandon her defense of battered woman's syndrome. Tearfully addressing the court, she acknowledged the events leading to Sochel's death, stating, "It still happened, but, yes."
According to court proceedings, the relationship between Carbone and Sochel had deteriorated into one marked by domestic violence, prompting numerous calls to the Manchester police. On the night of February 23, 2020, a heated altercation escalated in their Sixth Avenue home, during which Carbone used household items including a shower curtain rod and tape dispenser as weapons against Sochel.
Despite causing severe injuries, Carbone did not seek medical assistance for Sochel, who was later discovered unconscious by a health officer conducting a welfare check the following day. The crime scene revealed signs of a violent struggle, with bloodstains and the presence of weapons identified as having been used in the attack.
During Monday's plea hearing, Mary Carbone affirmed under questioning from her attorney, Paul Zager, that she had shared a residence on Sixth Avenue in Manchester with Frank Sochel, initially as her landlord and, as Zager described it, "in the beginning, a friend with benefits." Carbone also admitted that their relationship deteriorated into one marred by domestic violence, prompting her to make 58 calls to the Manchester police over nine months, some concerning incidents of domestic abuse.
Continuing her testimony, Carbone acknowledged the events of February 23, 2020, when Sochel allegedly entered her bedroom uninvited, breaking down the door and causing a confrontation that Zager characterized as "a heated altercation." She conceded to using household items, including a shower curtain rod and tape dispenser, as weapons during the ensuing fight with Sochel.
When pressed by Zager about Sochel's state during the altercation, Carbone initially claimed she thought he had passed out due to drinking. When asked if she had called emergency services upon realizing his condition, Carbone stated she lacked a phone and didn't seek aid from neighbors due to her inability to transport him to a hospital.
Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Meghan O'Neill then questioned Carbone directly, to which she admitted inflicting injuries on Sochel with various household objects. When asked directly if she had killed Frank Sochel, Carbone responded affirmatively, marking a pivotal moment in the plea hearing.
The plea agreement, which includes the possibility of parole after serving 85% of her sentence, was reached after expert evaluations related to Carbone's mental state and claims of self-defense were considered. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer expressed that the decision reflected a careful assessment of the case's complexities and input from Sochel's family.
Mary Carbone's sentencing is scheduled for September 13, where the judge will determine the final terms of her imprisonment.
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