Man Accused Of Smothering Woman To Death With Pillow While Giving Her Oral Sex

Douglas Rico, 44, who is also homeless, pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend, 53-year-old Henrietta Sholl.

Assistant District Attorney Todd Pettigrew said Mr. Rico and Ms. Sholl were staying together in room 360 at the Budget Host Inn in Riverside.

The couple entered the room about 11:30 a.m. on May 4 and Mr. Rico was observed leaving the room on surveillance camera the same day about 1:30 p.m.
Cleaning staff discovered the lifeless body of Ms. Sholl, a woman said to live a life marred by drugs and alcohol  on a bed May 5 at the motel.

Mr. Rico's court-appointed attorney, Dan Russo of Westhampton Beach, said Ms. Sholl was drunk and high during the ordeal and suffered  a heart attack.

“The victim in this case was his girlfriend and lover,” Mr. Russo told Judge Robert Doyle. “They were celebrating her release from [jail]. She had a heart attack and died.”