Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Michael Lewis

Boston, Massachusetts, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with two counts of manslaughter rom 1984 and 1993 pleaded guilty to manslaughter.



On or about July 16 or 17 of 1984, Lewis and another man, both of whom were involved in the South Boston drug trade, were driving in South Boston in search of another drug dealer. Their purpose was to stop that dealer from operating in South Boston.



While looking for the dealer, Lewis and the second man encountered Brian Watson. The second man asked Watson to lead them to the dealer. Watson agreed. Watson entered the vehicle and sat in the back seat.



While the three men drove around South Boston, Lewis suddenly turned, shot and killed Watson. The two then drove into New Hampshire and dumped Watson's body off I-93 South in Manchester.



On September 16, 1984, a couple who had pulled over on I-93 South in Manchester discovered a decomposed body, obscured by bushes and trees, about 40 feet from the road. The man called 911. Manchester Police and New Hampshire State Police responded. The body was eventually identified as Brian Watson through dental records.



Lewis also pleaded guilty to murdering William Villani, 46, in Villani's office at Two Sterling Square in South Boston in April 1993. Lewis worked for Villani at the Boston Housing Authority Pest Control Unit. Villani went to his office on April 16, and his body was found the following day. He had been beaten, stabbed and shot.



Lewis was upset at Villani because he forced Lewis to come back to work after a lengthy excused absence. On April 17, 1993, Villani's then-fiancé contacted Boston Police because she had not heard from Villani. Boston police found Villani's body in his office in the basement of Two Sterling Square in a pool of blood. Villani had been shot once in the cheek and stabbed multiple times. There was also a bag of pesticide placed on Villani's body.

Guilty