Sept. 30, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241
WORCESTER — A Worcester Superior Court jury today found Peter M. Jasper guilty of first-degree murder in the 2014 shotgun slaying of his cousin in the parking lot of a local bar, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Mr. Jasper, 49, of Worcester, killed Paul Milluzzo, 45, of Leicester shortly after 6 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2014 outside Smitty’s Tavern at 611 West Boylston St.
Mr. Jasper was arrested three months later following an investigation by Worcester Police.
Assistant District Attorneys Brett F. Dillon and Courtney R. Price alleged during the trial that Mr. Jasper and his cousin were close growing up, but their relationship deteriorated in later years over a failed business partnership.
Mr. Dillon said in his closing argument to the jury that the slaying was an act of rage and the culmination of a well-orchestrated plan that was years in the making.
Mr. Jasper faces the mandatory sentence for first-degree murder of life in prison without parole. Judge Daniel Wrenn scheduled sentencing for Monday.
“This was tremendous work by Worcester Police, our ADAs and the head of our victim-witness unit, Margaret Rwaramba,” Mr. Early said. “Circumstantial cases like this have to be heavily investigated and methodically presented, and everyone on this case did just that.”