BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) — A Pownal man pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder after allegedly tackling a woman and slashing her throat.
According to an affidavit sent to NEWS10 from the State Attorney’s Office, the witness who called 911 saw 32-year-old Darren Pronto attack Emily Hamman on a river walkway in Bennington, killing her.
Pronto was arrested soon after, allegedly telling a police officer, “I did what I did.”
A family member of Pronto says he was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and had carved “murder time” into his dining room wall. He’s being held without bail.
Friends are holding a vigil for Emily on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Four Corners in Bennington. They describe the young mom as a beautiful person inside and out. They have set up a fundraising page to cover her funeral services.
