CONCORD — A man who beat to death Nelson “Sonny” Goodno in a North Conway trailer in 1992 told the victim's family for the first time what happened that night.

“I'm so sorry,” said a tearful Roy Aceto, 41, formerly Roy Wrenn, during the a parole hearing that concluded with a decision to release him in October.

Aceto and Eric Thornton were both convicted of beating Goodno to death along the banks of the Saco River on Sept. 27, 1992.

Aceto legally changed his name in 2011. He is serving out his sentence in Norfolk, Mass., as part of an interstate compact. He appeared by teleconference Thursday before the New Hampshire Adult Parole Board.

Attorney Mark Sisti, who has represented Aceto from the beginning of the case, said the act was “senseless” and occurred while the three men were drinking.

Goodno's family members said they were never told what precipitated the attack.

Aceto told the parole board he met Thornton the day before and had gone to his house to drink and listen to music. The next day Thornton invited Aceto to “go to a party” and led him in the woods to “a dirt trailer.”

“I was a little nervous,” he said.

Thornton and Goodno knew each other and began arguing. Aceto and Goodno were strangers.

“I was trying to be the middle man,” he said.

But that changed, although he did not say specifically why.

“I started a fight with Sonny. All the things that were happening to me just came out. I was just very lost in my life. There is no excuse for what I've done,” he said. “I'm so sorry,” he choked.

The record indicates Goodno died after being repeatedly struck in the head, abdomen and groin.

Theresa Goodno of Manchester, the victim's mother, said she didn't want Aceto near her family in New Hampshire,

Ernest Goodno, the victim's brother, sent a letter asking parole be denied.

“Heinous crimes like this occur all too often” he said. “He is still alive,” but noted the actions “imprisoned our entire family.”

Crystal Day, who was 6 when her father died, said she took no position on Aceto's release. She said what was lost that day was a loving and giving man.

“Imagine ... trying to understand my father was killed for nothing,” she said.

“But believe it or not I do forgive him for what he did because God wants me to.”

The parole board, however, looked at a clean record in prison and agreed to a release to a Massachusetts halfway house at his earliest chance, which will be on Oct. 10.

Aceto has taken emotional awareness courses, received his high school diploma in prison and is currently involved in a fresh air program. He has been his unit's janitor, has lined up a halfway house willing to accept him in East Boston, has two jobs waiting for him and would be living near his sister, Carol Nicosia of Lynn, Mass., who attended the hearing.

The conditions of Aceto's parole restrict him from coming into New Hampshire except in emergencies and with prior notification of the Attorney General's Office.

Aceto's sentence is 20 years to life for second-degree murder.

Parole board member Mark Furlone said parole was warranted in this case, but offered condolences to the Goodno family.

M. Kathryn McCarroll, acting chair of the Adult Parole Board, agreed.

She said while the family will never recover from such a loss, she hoped what they heard during the hearing “will help you. Maybe not today but some time in the future.”

Directing herself to Aceto, she said it was his time “to give back” and suggested that his music talents be put to work with youth, to which he agreed.

Aceto concluded emotionally, “I will always carry this with me.”
ptracy@unionleader.com