FALL RIVER, Mass. — A Massachusetts man was sentenced to five to seven years in state prison after being convicted of mayhem, armed robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to officials. Jorge Lamas, 37, formerly of Fall River, was found guilty following a jury trial in Fall River Superior Court on Wednesday, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
The charges stem from a July 2006 incident, when Lamas, then 18, masterminded an assault on a 17-year-old male in Fall River. Prosecutors said Lamas was part of a group that deceitfully brought the victim to a secluded path near the Rolling Green Apartments, now known as the Southwinds Apartments, where the attack occurred. Upon arrival, the victim was ambushed, suffering slashes to his face from beer bottles used as weapons and further injuries as he was punched and kicked while on the ground.
In a more sinister turn, after the onslaught, Lamas and another individual robbed the victim of his sneakers and stole his cell phone. Lamas also warned the victim against contacting authorities, heightening the terror of the ordeal. The victim, acquainted with Lamas, was able to identify him, leading to his quick apprehension.
The brutal attack left the victim requiring more than 40 stitches for severe lacerations to his face, highlighting the attack’s vicious nature. The case, however, faced substantial delays as Lamas fled Massachusetts in May 2008, eluding capture until June 2023 when he was arrested in California.
Assistant District Attorneys Troy Murphy and Matthew Lopes handled the prosecution of the case. DA Quinn expressed satisfaction with the jury’s verdict, pointing out the prolonged nature of the legal process due to Lamas’ flight. “I am pleased that the jury held the defendant accountable for this brutal and senseless act of violence,” Quinn stated, lamenting the delay caused by Lamas’ flight from justice.
The case spotlights the enduring impact of violent crimes on individuals and communities, accentuating the necessity for persistence in the legal process despite potential hurdles. It also underscores the collaboration between law enforcement agencies across states that ultimately led to Lamas’ capture and conviction, reinforcing the message that justice, though sometimes delayed, is an achievable ideal.