January 5, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
or 508-688-5565
WORCESTER – A Springfield man, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and home invasion, was sentenced to prison yesterday in Worcester Superior Court, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Bill Japakih, 21, of Springfield, was sentenced to 7 years to 7 years and a day in state prison in the death of his uncle, Prince Kesselie. Japakih is also required to report to probation for 3 years after he is released from prison, Judge Janet Kenton-Walker said in handing down the sentence.
The charges stem from a home invasion, armed robbery and car crash in Clinton on May 18, 2016
Prior to the plea, Assistant District Attorney David Feraco told the court that Japakih and Kesselie, armed with a knife, robbed a man at the Clinton Motor Inn. They fled in a car driven by Japakih. They were pursued by police on Route 110 and reached a speed of more than 90 miles per hour before hitting a tree. Kesselie was killed and Japakih was arrested.
The District Attorney’s Office recommended a sentence of 8 to 10 years in prison and 5 years of probation.