UTICA, ONEIDA CO. -- A convicted sex offender charged with murdering a Utica motel owner admitted his guilt in Oneida County Court Friday morning.
Robert Blainey showed no remorse as he pleaded guilty to rape and murder charges in the death of 68-year-old Linda Turner. Her body was found in early November at the Davis Motel in Utica which she owned.
Blainey admits he went into Turner's office to rob her because he was squatting illegally. That's when he says he strangled her with a clothes line while she fought for her life. Blainey says he tore her clothes off and strangled her with his own belt and his bare hands.
Asked by the judge in court why he raped and murdered Turner, Blainey replied, "One of us had to go and it sure as hell wasn't going to be me."
The judge called Blainey "the most cold blooded person he ever had in his courtroom in 20 years." Blainey responded saying, "I take that as a compliment."
Prosecutors say they found two pairs of women's underwear on Blainey when he was arrested. They say several pairs were also found in his car.
Investigators say they found Blainey in Pennsylvania driving Turner's car. Police were searching for him since October after they say he skipped out on parole. Blainey was previously convicted of two rapes and two attempted rapes, including one of a 6-year-old child.
Blainey is expected to receive life in prison without the possibility of parole when he's sentenced in March.
