By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A man who became entangled in a lovers' triangle over the Internet was sentenced Tuesday for killing a co-worker outside the Clarence factory where they worked last year.
A judge rejected Thomas Montgomery's motion to withdraw his guilty plea to a charge of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced him to 20 years. Montgomery had pleaded guilty earlier this year to shooting 22-year-old Brian Barrett to death in Clarence in September 2006.
Assistant District Attorney Frank Sedita, III, said Montgomery was one of the most "munipulative" defendants he ever prosecuted.
Both Montgomery and Barrett were involved in an Internet relationship with a West Virginia woman who was using her daughter's Web page information to pose as an 18-year-old.
Montgomery's attorney says an appeal is planned.