For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
Or 508-688-5565
WORCESTER – After hearing from the victim’s family today, Superior Court Judge David Ricciardone sentenced Edwin Novas to prison in the 1999 Worcester killing of Danny Nicasio, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
The judge sentenced Novas to life in prison on the second degree murder conviction. Based on the law in 1999, Novas would be eligible for parole in 15 years. However, the judge also sentenced Novas to 8 to 12 years in prison on the charge of armed assault with intent to murder with a firearm. The sentence will run after the murder sentence. Novas will not be eligible for parole for 23 years.
Judge Ricciardone also sentenced Novas to 4 to 5 years in prison for carrying a firearm; 3 years in prison for possessing ammunition; and 3 to 5 years in prison for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Those sentences will be served at the same time as the second degree murder sentence. Novas was given credit for 1,308 days in custody awaiting trial.
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. Nicasio, who was shot in the chest, died later at a local hospital.
“December 24 1999 my world came crashing down,” Tamra Nicasio told the judge during the hearing. “.. No more shopping trips, no more bonding time, no more cuddles, no more dancing together in the living room.”
Ms. Nicasio talked about life without her father and how he never met his granddaughter.
“I just want to leave off with saying you don’t know this pain until it’s your front seat, until it’s your loss,” Ms. Nicasio said. “… A grieving person will love again, smile again and yes they are going to move forward, but it doesn’t mean they have moved on… It’s time for myself, my family and my father to finally have peace.”
District Attorney Early thanked the prosecution team of Terry McLaughlin, Tara Nechev, and Sue Oftring for their hard work on this case. He also thanked the Worcester Police Department especially detectives William Donovan, Daniel Sullivan, T.J. Coakley and Mark Richardson; the U.S. Marshal Service; the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester. They all played important roles in bringing Novas to justice.