Woonsocket man gets life in prison for 'extraordinary act of domestic violence'

A Woonsocket man who ran over his sometime girlfriend three years ago was sentenced to life in prison Monday, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said.

James Grilli, 39, pleaded no contest on Monday to one count of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, Neronha said in a news release.

Grilli ran over and killed Erika Belcourt, 43, of Woonsocket, with his car after an argument on Aug. 22, 2020, according to Neronha. He said the two had dated intermittently.

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At about 5:30 that night, Grilli and Belcourt got into an argument at her apartment on Diamond Hill Road in Woonsocket, Neronha said. Belcourt's two sons were in the apartment, according to Neronha.

Belcourt asked Grilli to leave and take his belongings from the home, Neronha said. Grilli made made several trips to and from his car before he broke down the front door of Belcourt's apartment, prompting Belcourt to call the Woonsocket police, Neronha said.

While Belcourt was on the phone with the police and standing in front of Grilli's black Ford SUV, Grilli revved the engine several times and then ran her over, Neronha said. Grilli then drove away, leaving Belcourt lying severely injured in the parking lot, Neronha said.

Belcourt was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead several hours later.

Grilli was arrested in Pawtucket later that night.

Neronha said, “This extraordinary act of domestic violence took the life of a mother of two who had much to live for. The defendant’s outrageous conduct has now landed him precisely where he belongs: in state prison for decades to come."

"Nothing can return Erika to her family and friends, but I hope that this long sentence brings them a measure of justice," Neronha said. "I remain grateful to the Woonsocket Police Department for their strong work during the investigation and prosecution of this case, as in so many others.”

Superior Court Justice Richard Raspallo sentenced Grilli to life at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Life in prison for Woonsocket man who ran over, killed girlfriend