Conviction, Plea in Separate Homicide Cases

BOSTON, March 22, 2022— Two men were held accountable for separate killings yesterday as one was convicted by a jury and the other entered a guilty plea as his homicide trial was set to begin, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

As jury selection was underway in his trial for first-degree murder and other charges, KEIWANN WATSON yesterday pleaded guilty to manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery by discharging a firearm.  Suffolk Superior Court Judge Robert Ullman sentenced Watson to a term of 17 to 19 years in state prison to be followed by four years of probation.

In a different courtroom inside Suffolk Superior Court, jurors yesterday found RICHARD LUGO guilty of manslaughter (as a lesser included offense of the indicted charge of first-degree murder), unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a loaded firearm in the fatal 2019 shooting of Pascual Casiano and wounding of a second man during a fight outside of a Roslindale auto repair shop.  The jury acquitted Lugo of additional charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle.  He faces sentencing next month.

Had the case against Watson proceeded to trial, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hickman would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that Miranda was among a group of individuals leaving Cure Lounge when a male who was present with Watson snatched a gold chain from the victim's neck at approximately 2 a.m. on August 20, 2017.  As Watson’s group fled, Miranda and his acquaintances pursued them into a parking lot. The two groups exchanged words before Watson produced a gun and fired shots at them, fatally wounding Miranda.

Assistant District Attorney Tara Burdman proved that Lugo fatally shot Casiano on October 31, 2019, during an altercation outside of the auto repair and sales business where both men worked. Casiano and a surviving victim were returning from lunch to their positions in automotive sales at American Legion Highway sales and repair shop, where Lugo occasionally worked in the businesses’ repair shop. There, Lugo confronted Casiano.  After the altercation escalated into a into a physical fight, the second victim and another man attempted to intervene. Lugo pulled out a gun, shooting Casiano once in the abdomen and the surviving victim once in the hand. Lugo then fled in the other man's car.

“Two men have been stolen from this world and their families will never be the same.  Neither of these altercations needed to end in bloodshed, but the presence of a firearm changed the course of everyone’s lives,” District Attorney Hayden said.  “My office will continue to provide services and support to the loved ones of Michael Miranda and Pascual Casiano.  Miranda and Casiano never knew one another, but now their families are linked through the unique grief and trauma that only homicide survivors know.  As a community, we must come together to support those who have been harmed by violence and to prevent violence and gun crimes in our neighborhoods.”

Elise McConnell is the victim witness advocate assigned to both cases. 

Lugo is represented by Lefteris Travayiakis and faces sentencing on April 4, 2022, in courtroom 806 of Suffolk Superior Court.  Watson was represented by Eric Tennen and Jennifer Sunderland. 

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.