Teen Who Decapitated Classmate Learns His Fate

Mathew Borges gets life, with the possibility of parole
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 9, 2019 5:49 PM CDT
Teen Who Decapitated Classmate Learns His Fate
Mathew Borges, 15, attends his arraignment in Lawrence District Court in Lawrence, Mass, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016.   (Paul Bilodeau/The Eagle-Tribune via AP, Pool)

A Massachusetts teenager convicted of fatally stabbing and then decapitating a high school classmate has been sentenced to life in prison, the AP reports. Eighteen-year-old Mathew Borges, of Lawrence, will be eligible for parole in 30 years under the maximum allowable sentence handed down on Tuesday by Superior Court Judge Helene Kanzajian. A jury convicted Borges in May of first-degree murder in the November 2016 killing of 16-year-old Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino. Viloria-Paulino's decapitated body and head were found along the banks of a river by a dog walker.

Prosecutors say Borges was jealous the victim had spent time with a girl he liked. Under Massachusetts law, a first-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole for adults. But parole eligibility must be added if the crime was committed as a juvenile. (Borges allegedly sent his ex a chilling text 24 hours after the murder.)

We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy.
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X