Two plead no contest in pool death case

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) - Two former managers with the Department of Conservation and Recreation pleaded no contest Tuesday, to charges in connection with a drowning at a Fall River public pool.

The body of Marie Joseph went undetected in the Veterans Memorial Pool for two days following her death in late June 2011. Investigators say it was hidden in several feet of murky water.

Former DCR Regional Director Brian Shanahan and former DCR District Manager Jeff Carter were charged with knowingly exposing children to risk, by operating the state run pool on June 27 and 28, while the body of Marie Joseph sat in the bottom of the pool under 12 feet of cloudy water.

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Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter investigated the case, and said the pool water was too cloudy for the facility to operate safely.

Shanahan and Carter are not charged in connection with Marie Joseph’s death. Both men have since resigned from the DCR under pressure.

They changed their plea in court Tuesday - admitting to sufficient facts. Both received one year probation. Charges will be dismissed if they stay out of trouble for one year.

"Although the sentences which the court pronounced were not exactly what we requested, nevertheless it is important to note that the defendants did admit their wrongdoing and the case has been resolved quickly. I think both the admissions and the quick resolution are positive for the community going forward," District Attorney Sam Sutter said in a statement to Eyewitness News.