BOSTON (WHDH) - A Salem man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a former Army sniper who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Peter Castillo, 28, was accused of shooting veteran Stephen Perez, then 22, in the back on April 28, 2012, after an argument in Boston.
Castillo then fled to the Dominican Republic after the shooting, according to officials. He was captured in January 2015. Castillo was held without bail after he was captured.
Jurors needed less than two hours to reach a verdict. The jury could consider first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or manslaughter charges.
Castillo’s family refused to comment as they left the courthouse. Perez’s cousin told 7News she found the verdict “emotional.”
Castillo will be sentenced next week. His attorney said he will appeal the verdict.
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