ISABELLA COUNTY, Mich. — Deputies in Isabella County say a Mt. Pleasant man now faces charges for allegedly trying to help his wife commit suicide on Valentine’s Day.
Patrick John Bergeron, 45, was arraigned last week on charges of intent to assist an individual with suicide and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent.
The first charge, a felony, carries a possible penalty of five years behind bars and/or a $10,000 fine. The second charge, also a felony, carries a possible penalty of five years behind bars and/or a $2,500 fine.
Investigators say Bergeron and his 46-year-old wife, also from the Mt. Pleasant area, were frustrated because no one wanted them to be together even though they were married, deciding to attempt suicide by cutting their wrists.
The wife told investigators she took approximately 20 Xanax while Bergeron drank a fifth of McMasters whiskey before his wife told him she didn’t have the guts to cut her wrist with a box cutter and asked him if he would do it for her. Bergeron allegedly replied he would.
Investigators say the wife suffered a short but deep cut on her right wrist and a couple of cuts on her left wrist, while Bergeron suffered superficial cuts on his own wrists.
Authorities say Bergeron is currently lodged at a prison in Jackson on a parole violation for consuming alcohol on Valentine’s Day.
Online records with the Michigan Department of Corrections show Bergeron served prison time for convictions for home invasion and criminal sexual conduct prior to these new charges. Records also indicate he was also charged with failure to register as a sex offender in 2008.
