Aug. 24, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241
WORCESTER — Howard Penn was sentenced to 17 to 20 years in state prison today after being found guilty on Monday of manslaughter in the shooting death of a fellow employee of the Albion rooming house, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Mr. Penn, 56, a security guard at the Main Street rooming house, pulled a handgun from a bag and shot Lloyd Worster, 52, in the back shortly after the two men scuffled in the office of the Albion in January 2014.
A Superior Court jury found that Mr. Penn had acted in self-defense, but used excessive force in the shooting of Mr. Worster, who was a handyman at the Albion. The jury also found Mr. Penn guilty of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Assistant District Attorney Brett Dillon recommended a sentence of 18-20 years. Mr. Penn’s lawyer, James Krasnoo, asked for a sentence of 8-12 years.
Judge David Ricciardone imposed the sentence of 17-20 years for the manslaughter charge along with a two-year House of Correction sentence for the gun charge and one year for the ammunition charge. The sentences are to run concurrently. The maximum penalty for manslaughter is 20 years.
“I am very proud of the work the Worcester Police and our prosecutorial team did in this very difficult case,” Mr Early said.