Greenberg to plead in boating death

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) - The Barrington teen accused in the 2007 boating death of his friend is going to plead no contest in the case, according to a news release issued by the Rhode Island Judiciary.

Ryan Greenberg is expected to officially enter his plea to a charge of reckless boating, death resulting Monday, May 18 before Superior Court Associate Justice Daniel A. Procaccini.

Greenberg was initially charged with second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Murphy, 17. He was also facing underage possession of alcohol and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

The plea comes after several conferences during recent months with attorneys in the case, Procaccini said. After several days, the case was set to go to trial May 26.

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch issued the following  statement regarding the Greenberg's plea.

“After an extensive review of this case that has included many substantive pre-trial conferences in the chambers of the trial justice, Judge Procaccini, the defendant has indicated his intention to enter a plea to one count of boating to endanger, death resulting. Unless and until the defendant enters his plea, however, this is a pending criminal case. Therefore, we will not comment on this announcement until after the plea is made officially in open court.”

Greenberg will not be sentenced on that same day. Sentencing is tentatively set for July 22, Procaccini said.