For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott J. Croteau 508-368-7228 or 774-418-5706
WORCESTER – A Worcester man was sentenced to serve life in prison on Wednesday after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder in the 2018 killing of a 42-year-old man, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Kennie Mota-Cruz, 29, was found guilty by a Worcester Superior Court jury on Friday after a four-day trial. He will be eligible to seek parole in 25 years.
Worcester police officers responded to 15 Everard St. around 7:40 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2018 for a report of a shooting. Authorities discovered Jose E. Ortiz on the third floor with a gunshot wound to his head.
Detectives from the Worcester Police Department testified that Mota-Cruz went to Everard Street and fatally shot Ortiz.
“It is my hope that this verdict helps bring some closure to the family of Mr. Ortiz,” Mr. Early said. “Assistant District Attorneys Shayna Woodard and Brett Dillon did an amazing job trying this case. I also want to thank the detectives and officers from the Worcester Police Department for their meticulous work investigating this killing and Victim Witness Advocate Margaret Rwaramba for being with the family through this difficult case.”