Welcome back lovelies. It's War Baby with a case update to episode 34 beheaded. On Tuesday, July 9th, 2019, Matthew Borges was sentenced for a murder he committed at age 15,

the vicious stabbing, beheading, and mutilation of 16-year-old Lee-Paulino in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

If you'll recall, Matthew Borges was found guilty of first-degree murder with extreme

atrocity and cruelty back in May of 2019.

His trial lasted two weeks and the courtroom was filled with the family and friends of Lee

Palino.

They wore black teas with the victim's face on the front and a demand for justice on the back.

At opening, the defense asked the jury to be cognizant of the fact that the state had no blood evidence, no DNA evidence,

no crime scene, and no murder weapon.

Lee Paulino had been decapitated and his hands were cut off at the forearms.

Investigators never found his hands, although his head was recovered near his body.

The defense also asked the jury to be wary of the prosecution star witnesses.

Matthew Borges four co-conspirators in the burglary of the victim's apartment all

testified against him, saying they heard him describe the killing of Lee Pallino.

The plan had allegedly been for Matthew to distract the victim while the others robbed his

home.

His mother was out of town. None of the four robbers faced any charges in relation to

Leeds murder, not even for the burglary. Matthew Borges did not testify on his own behalf.

At closing, the defense pointed out that even after the 24 witnesses called by the prosecution,

there remained little hard evidence that Matthew committed the murder and that he acted alone.

The state countered by stating that each piece of evidence they did possess pointed toward Matthew Borges as being Lee's murderer.

Following nine hours of deliberation, the jury found Matthew guilty on all charges.

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