A Massachusetts man accused of fatally stabbing his P.F. Chang's coworker two years ago has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Thirty-eight-year-old Elivelton Dias was stabbed in the back by Jaquan Huston while working at the restaurant in August 2015.
Huston fled the restaurant and was later arrested at his home.
Prosecutors previously said at his arraignment that Huston told them he thought Dias was threatening him in Spanish and that the stabbing was self-defense.
Huston entered a guilty plea as a deal to get a life sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years.
"This was a senseless killing of an innocent man," Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. "Elivelton Dias was a hard-working man who had come to this country seeking opportunity and freedom from the violence of his native Brazil. That his life was taken by such a pointless act of violence weeks after he became a new father is beyond tragic."
During sentencing, Dias’ wife, Fabiana Batista, spoke using a Portuguese interpreter about how he left Brazil to escape violence.
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
"What I would like to say is that whatever happens to this sir will not bring my husband back," she said, unable to finish the sentence without crying.
"And it will not bring back the happiness of my daughter to have a father," she added.
Dias was killed nine days after his baby daughter was born.
Huston sat in the courtroom expressionless, then offered his condolences to Batista and her family. Huston’s mother — who has been vocal about his anger problem — also offered her condolences, hoping her son will now receive treatment while in jail.
Huston did admit he has taken medicine for anxiety and anger. The judge granted the two years he’s already served to count towards his sentencing.
