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WORCESTER – Edwin Novas, arrested in the Dominican Republic in 2017 for a Worcester killing, was convicted of second degree murder yesterday afternoon by a Superior Court jury, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Judge David Ricciardone scheduled sentencing for Oct. 1.
The jury also found Novas guilty of armed assault and battery with intent to murder; carrying a firearm without a license; possessing ammunition without an FID card; and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
The shooting occurred outside the former Tropigala night club in the early morning of Dec. 24, 1999. A second victim was shot in the arm and survived. Danny Nicasio, who was shot in the chest, died later at a local hospital. About 20 family members and friends were in the courtroom for the verdicts.
“I want to thank the victim’s family for their patience,” Early said. “We hope the verdicts have brought them some closure and measure of justice.”
The district attorney also thanked the jury for their hard work and attentiveness throughout the trial.
“I want to thank the prosecution team of Terry McLaughlin, Tara Nechev, and Sue Oftring for their hard work on this case,” Early said. “Also I want to thank the Worcester Police Department especially detectives William Donovan, Daniel Sullivan, T.J. Coakley and Mark Richardson. They were relentless in searching for Novas.”
Early also thanked the U.S. Marshal Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, who helped get Novas out of the Dominican Republic.