BOSTON (WHDH) - A South Boston man pleaded guilty in a cold case out of New Hampshire dating back to 1984.
Michael Lewis, 65, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter related to homicides that happened in 1984 and 1993.
According to officials, one of the cases involved the killing of Brian Watson, 23, whose body was found off I-93 South in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1984.
Watson was last seen alive in July 1984. He was reported missing a moth later by his mother, and his body was found by a passerby 40 feet from I-93 South. He was later identified through dental records.
“I am the daughter of Brian, the man Michael Lewis murdered on July 17, 1984 which was my 3rd birthday. That single act changed the course of my entire life,” Jessica Watson said, Brian’s daughter. “While you lived your life freely for years, we lived with the emptiness you created. We carried the weight of what you did. I do not forgive you.”
After an investigation, officials say authorities determined that Lewis and another man, who were both involved in South Boston’s drug trade, shot Watson in Boston and took his body to New Hampshire.
Lewis also pleaded guilty to shooting and stabbing his boss William Villani in April 1993.
Lewis was indicted for first-degree murder in 2022.
As part of the plea agreement, the state lowered the charges against Lewis from murder to manslaughter.
“When you have cases like this from a certain era the witnesses present unique challenges,” John Verner said, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney said.
The prosecutor offered the deal after an investigator passed away and couldn’t rely on another witness. Lewis took the deal and responsibility for his crimes.
“The fact that he’s willing to accept responsibility for his role in 2 deaths is in itself an expression of remorse. He doesn’t have to stand up and proclaim to the heavens. Of course he feels remorse or he would not have plead guilty,” Jamie Sultan said, defense attorney.
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