Nixon Bourguignon claims Ambien — a sedative (also called a hypnotic) used to treat sleep problems like insomnia — is the reason he found himself trying to plead temporary insanity in a Rockland County, New York, court. Bourguignon, 38, is accused of fatally strangling his 20-year-old girlfriend, Shannon Coleman. She lost her life inside her apartment in Garnerville, New York, in May 2014. Garnerville is a hamlet in West Haverstraw, New York, and is less than an hour from New York City.
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe has a different account. He argues Bourguignon killed Coleman, the mother of his child, after she ended their relationship.
On Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, a judge sentenced Bourguignon on the murder charge. During a show of remorse, Bourguignon told the court, “I am sorry that I took her away from everybody. I hate myself. I wish every day I could switch places with Shannon. I love Shannon very much.”
Bourguignon’s attorney David Goldstein argued at the trial the sleeping aid Ambien caused his client to become violent and he didn’t remember the killing. It was revealed in court the defendant tortured Coleman. He strangled her, paused and she regained consciousness. Then he strangled her again while her kids were in a nearby room, including the son he fathered.
Coleman’s family is in pain. According to the The Journal News, in an attempt to humanize their deceased sibling, her brother and sister addressed the court.
“She had the ability to light up a room with her presence,” says Lamar Taylor, Shannon’s brother. “We’ve been in disarray with the loss of Shannon. It’s very difficult to speak to her children, who ask questions about their mother.”
Her siblings said that her children wish they could go back in time to be with their loving mother.
Shannon’s younger sister, Sophia Coleman, revealed Bourguignon became a citizen and obtained a job with Shannon’s help.
“Even if you gave him a million years it will never bring her back,” says Sophia.
Supreme Court Justice William Kelly sentenced him to serve between 20 years and life in prison.
