Bradford Beals pleads guilty to manslaughter in south-end Halifax killing

A 52-year-old Nova Scotia man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in relation to a killing in a rooming house in south-end Halifax last year.

Bradford Eugene Beals was originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of David William Rose. During an appearance in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on Friday morning, Beals pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.

Justice Felix Cacchione then sentenced Beals to 15 years in prison. He's getting credit for the time he's spent in jail awaiting trial, so Beals must serve 13 years and four months.

Chris Nicholson, the Crown prosecutor, said the guilty plea and joint sentencing recommendation were appropriate under the circumstances.

"There was some issues in the case that we had to take into account," Nicholson said outside court.

"Discussions were started about potentially settling the case. And there were issues that we considered potentially out there, being intoxication and possibly provocation."

Cacchione described the case as a tragic situation for everyone concerned.

"Mr. Beals has had a rough life," the judge said.

Beals has a Grade 4 education and has struggled with both alcohol and drug addictions.

The judge noted the guilty plea spared the family of the victim, Rose, from having to sit through a trial and hear how their loved one died.

Halifax Regional Police said Rose, 65, was asphyxiated in a rooming house on South Street in March 2014. He and Beals knew each other and his death was drug related, police said.

"You've got to stay away from the bad medicine," Cacchione said in sending Beals away.

A second person, 29-year-old Debra Jane Spencer, was earlier convicted of being an accessory after the fact in Rose's death.