Michael Roque Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in State Prison

Former Binghamton University student Michael Roque of Long island has been sentenced to 20 years to life for the murder of fellow BU student Joao Souza on April 15th. Roque had attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, but that was rejected by Judge Kevin Dooley on Monday. During sentencing, Roque began reading from a prepared statement in his own defense, but the judge ended his statement after about 25 minutes, saying he had already entered a guilty plea. During the statement, Roque said that he had been awake for three days prior to the stabbing. He never expressed remorse.