Posted on: Thursday, May 10, 2001

Kaua'i man pleads no contest to murder charge

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua‘i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Matthew Blankswade has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the shotgun slaying of his girlfriend's father.

Blankswade confessed last year to firing a single blast to the face of Jeffrey Brisebois, 47, while the victim was asleep in his bed June 26, 2000.

In court Tuesday, Blankswade withdrew that plea and entered a new one that will result in a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. His sentencing hearing is July 12.

At the time of the killing, Blankswade, then 21, was a landscaper and handyman who lived with the victim's 18-year-old daughter, Amber, on property Brisebois owned deep in Wainiha valley. Blankswade told police the woman helped plan the killing and helped steal the weapon used in the shooting, and led him to her father's bedroom.

He said she wanted her father dead so she could gain control of the property.

Amber Brisebois was initially charged with murder in the case, but those charges were later dropped. She has denied any involvement in the killing.

Prosecuting Attorney Michael Soong said there are no immediate plans to bring further charges against the woman.