A mother of three accused of brutally beating and strangling her adoptive mother in July 1993 has pleaded no contest.
Irene Reynolds, 40, of Baltic, was charged with the murder of her mother, Bertha Reynolds, 60.
Bertha Reynolds was found at the bottom of the basement stairs at her 84 Laurel Hill Ave. home in Norwich on July 9, 1993.
The trial was supposed to begin on Tuesday, but a special hearing was held on Monday, during which Irene Reynolds pleaded no contest to manslaughter in the second degree.
She has been in prison for 31 months and expected to be sentenced to 10 years, suspended after 30 months, court officials said on Monday.
The victim's husband, Jim Reynolds, did not attend the court hearing but said he plans to attend the sentencing on Feb. 13.
"It's been too long. It's a relief in one way, but it doesn't change what happened," Jim Reynolds said during a phone call.
It is not clear if Irene Reynolds she will serve additional prison time because of the time she has served.
