December 11, 2015
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
Or 508-688-5565
WORCESTER – A Superior Court judge today sentenced an Auburn man to 20 to 25 years in prison after he was convicted of six charges stemming from a 2013 shooting and assault outside a Worcester bar, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Darryl Thomas, 31, of Auburn had been found guilty by a Superior Court jury last month of two counts of assault & battery with a dangerous weapon; possession of a firearm not at home or work; possession of ammunition; possession of a loaded firearm; and possession of a firearm during a felony.
Because of past crimes, Thomas is considered a habitual criminal and faced enhanced penalties during a second jury-waived trial. Judge David Ricciardone today upheld the habitual criminal portion of the indictments and sentenced Thomas to 10 to 15 years in prison on the firearm charges and 10 years in prison from after that sentence for the assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charges.
Assistant District Attorney John H. Melander recommended a 30- to 35-year sentence.
The incident occurred just after 1 a.m. on October 19, 2013, outside of NufCed Bar at 377 Park Ave. During a fight the defendant pistol whipped the victim several times before shooting him in the chest at point-blank range.
The victim was rushed to St. Vincent Hospital and had to be resuscitated. He survived his injuries, and was released after nine days.