May 30, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey 508 368-7241
WORCESTER – David E. Roman was sentenced to life in prison today after a Superior Court jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the 2015 stabbing and slashing death of a 59-year-old Southbridge man, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Judge Janet Kenton-Walker imposed the statutory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mr. Roman, 52, of 31 Tanyard Road, Dudley, was also sentenced to two to three years in prison after pleading guilty before the trial to larceny over $250.
The jury found him guilty of murdering Joseph A. Stanick, whose body was found in his home at 43 Columbus Ave., Southbridge on May 9, 2015, one day after he was killed. A state medical examiner testified that Mr. Stanick had been stabbed 77 times, including a fatal blow that severed his carotid artery.
Mr. Roman also stole rings, signed celebrity photographs and a tea set from Mr. Stanick’s home.
“I hope this verdict provides Mr. Stanick’s family with a measure of justice,” Mr. Early said. “This was a difficult case. I want to thank Southbridge Police and the State Police Detectives assigned to my office, along with State Police Crime Scene Services and civilian forensic scientists from the State Police Crime Lab for their investigation. I also want to acknowledge Assistant District Attorneys Michael D. McHugh, Anthony H. Melia, Nathaniel Beaudoin and Albert J. Grudzinskas Jr. and victim/witness advocate Laura Jette for their hard work.”