SAM HEMINGWAY and ELIZABETH MURRAY

Phillip Searles, 58 and a transient, has been sentenced to 9-15 years in prison in connection with the death of his girlfriend a year ago after she was found unresponsive at a homeless encampment in South Burlington.

Searles, who pleaded guilty Sept. 12 to aggravated domestic assault, had admitted to several friends and acquaintances that he assaulted Melissa A. Lanoue, 45, a day before her death. He was convicted of the charge on the same day he entered his plea.

Searles had been charged as a prior aggressor due to a conviction of aggravated domestic assault in 2007. His record also shows a conviction for assault and robbery in 1989.

Lanoue was taken to Fletcher Allen Health Care after being found naked and unconscious in the woods behind the K-Mart store in South Burlington.

"I need you to call the hospital because I think I hurt Missy really bad," Searles is quoted in a police affidavit as having told one of the friends and acquaintances. "I think I really hurt her this time."

A subsequent autopsy of Lanoue indicated she had been fatally injured days earlier and had bruises on her throat that were "consistent with either a punch to the throat or a forearm held tightly across the throat so as to restrict airway flow," the police affidavit said.

The fatal injuries, however, were believed to have occurred between five to 10 days before Lanoue's death.

That finding led the state to charge Searles with aggravated domestic assault because the fatal injuries "did not comport with the time frame of the assault," a statement issued by the Chittenden County State's Attorney's office said.

Searles' attorney William Norful said the case was very tragic, especially due to the lifestyles of both the victim and his client.

"They were homeless, transient and living day to day on the cusp of society," Norful said. "It was a terrible, tragic existence for both of them."

The statement from the Chittenden County State's Attorney's office also said Searles had a long criminal record, including the two prior assault convictions.

"This sentence sends the right message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in Chittenden County," the statement said.

Lanoue's brother, Jeff Lanoue of St. Albans said he has gained a new awareness of the homeless community after following the case involving his sister. Jeff Lanoue said that he will be participating in a walk on Sunday in St. Albans hosted by Tim's House, a shelter for those who need emergency or transitional housing.

Jeff Lanoue and his family were happy with the sentence that Searles received, though they were hoping for a longer sentence, he said.

"The guy is very dangerous, and he needs to be put away, not just for the safety of the homeless but for society in general," Jeff Lanoue said. "I'm happy with the outcome. He's going to jail for a long time."

Contact Sam Hemingway at 660-1850 or shemingway@freepressmedia.com. Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com.