Guilty Verdict in 2014 Homicide

BOSTON, May 3, 2019 — A jury yesterday convicted a man of murder in the 2014 stabbing death of 19-year-old Samuel Constant, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced.

WILLIAM EARL, 25, of Mattapan, was found guilty yesterday afternoon of second-degree murder in Mr. Constant’s fatal stabbing.  He had been indicted for first-degree murder, but jurors in his Suffolk Superior Court trial convicted him of the lesser offense.  Sentencing will take place May 8.

“I’m grateful to my prosecutors for their hard work holding Mr. Constant’s killer accountable, and also to the victim advocates who worked with Mr. Constant’s family for the past five years to ensure that they received the compassion, support, and resources that every survivor of homicide deserve,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “We will continue to support this family at the defendant’s sentencing next week and long after the criminal case has closed.”

Assistant District Attorney Tara Burdman proved at trial that Mr. Constant and the defendant were present at the West Roxbury home of the victim’s girlfriend when they became involved in a physical altercation. During that altercation, the defendant stabbed Mr. Constant multiple times.  The defendant then fled the apartment, with the mortally wounded victim pursuing him onto Margaretta Drive. 

Mr. Constant, who suffered stab wounds that perforated his lung and an artery, collapsed in a parking lot and died of his injuries.  The defendant was apprehended by a security officer patrolling the area.

Assistant District Attorney Michael V. Glennon was second chair at trial.  Jennifer Sears is the assigned victim witness advocate.  The defendant is represented by Tony Fugate and Aderonke Lipide.  Sentencing before Judge Linda Giles will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in courtroom 808 of Suffolk Superior Court.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.