Former Georgia coach pleads guilty to Maryland murder

A former high school football coach from Georgia has pleaded guilty to killing a woman in Maryland. Carl Kearney Jr., who previously coached at Spalding County High School, admitted to murdering 38-year-old Patrina Best in February 2024. Best was a traveling nurse and a friend of Kearney’s. She grew up in a U.S. Navy family, moving around, and was an accomplished swimmer. State attorney Aisha Braveboy said Best's death is a significant loss to her family and community. Kearney could face up to 30 years in prison and will be sentenced in June. Braveboy stated that no sentence could truly provide justice for the loss. However, she believes the plea bargain offers some closure for Best's family. The incident occurred after Kearney and Best had dinner together. It escalated into an argument, leading Kearney to confess to strangling her. When he realized she was unresponsive, he attempted to revive her, but she did not respond. Kearney then left in Best’s car and went to the police to report the incident. Despite Kearney calling Best his girlfriend, her sister noted that they were not in a relationship at the time of her death. Kearney was considered a mentor and a successful coach in his community, where he made a strong impact on young athletes. Investigators stated that Kearney did not plan the murder, leading to the plea of second-degree murder. Best's family is closely affected by this tragedy, and the attorney emphasized their ongoing support for them.