SALEM, Mass. (WHDH/AP) — Jury deliberations began Monday after lawyers made their final pitches to jurors in the case of a teenager charged with killing and beheading a high school classmate.
Closing arguments the trial of 18-year-old Matthew Borges wrapped up Monday in Salem Superior Court.
RELATED: Dog walker, state trooper describe finding body of decapitated student in Lawrence murder trial
Borges is accused of killing 16-year-old Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino in November 2016 because he was jealous the victim had spent time with his girlfriend. Viloria-Paulino’s body was found along the banks of the Merrimack River by a dog-walker. His head was found floating nearby.
The teens were classmates at Lawrence High School. Borges was 15 at the time but is being tried as an adult.
RELATED: ‘He told me he killed Lee’: Teen says murder suspect told friends he beheaded classmate
Borges’ attorneys argued there’s no physical evidence to link Borges to the death. The defense did not call any witnesses before resting its case on Thursday.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)