A jury on Friday found a Bridgton man guilty of murder in connection with the death of his partner more than two years ago.

Eric Knight, 50, had been on trial for the last week in Cumberland County Superior Court. He was charged with depraved indifference murder in connection with the death of Benita Preo, who was 51.

Knight faces 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

Preo was found dead in their bedroom on Nov. 25, 2023 — the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Assistant Attorney General Mark Rucci told the jury on Friday that Preo had been dead for a day and Knight never called the police. He said Preo was likely killed almost a day earlier, citing an estimate from the deputy chief medical examiner.

Knight pleaded not guilty after he was arrested and charged in 2024. His attorneys argued throughout the trial that Knight acted in self-defense.

Neighbors testified earlier this week that they called 911 after entering the home and finding Preo’s body under a blanket in the couple’s bedroom. At the time, Rucci said, Knight told people he believed Preo had overdosed.

An autopsy revealed that Preo died of strangulation and did not have enough drugs in her system to cause her death, Rucci said. He said Knight changed his story after police told him what Preo’s cause of death had been, telling a detective that she had threatened him with a knife and he “restrained” her by grabbing her neck.

“None of that makes any sense. It lacks logic, it defies physics,” Rucci said, showing the jury pictures of Preo, the bedroom where she was found, and video footage of Knight’s interviews with police.

Knight’s attorney Verne Paradie told the jury his client acted in self-defense and feared Preo. According to Paradie, Knight said Preo was abusing prescription drugs and cocaine. Knight also told police he had been smoking crack at the time she died.

Paradie disputed that Knight had changed his story to police, saying a neighbor testified that Knight had told him Preo threatened him with a knife early on. Paradie said Knight withheld that detail in early police interviews to protect Preo’s reputation.

“Lying doesn’t make you a murderer,” Paradie said. “He had just accidentally killed his girlfriend. None of us can be in those shoes. None of us can be there on the day that happened.”

Police didn’t find a knife or signs of a fight when they searched the home, Rucci added.