A somber verdict has come for Pauliasky Jean-Francois, 38, connected to a fatal shooting outside a Woburn restaurant nearly four years ago. Jean-Francois, from Plymouth, MA, was convicted in Middlesex Superior Court for the 2020 murder of 26-year-old Lloyd Borgella of Roslindale. According to a statement from the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, the jury delivered guilty verdicts for charges of first-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a firearm without a license.
The chain of events leading to the conviction unfolded on the evening of December 12, 2020. Woburn Police were dispatched following multiple 911 calls about gunfire in the parking lot of Jake n JOES Sports Grille at 230 Mishawum Road. Upon their arrival, Borgella was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds following his departure from the establishment. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Borgella succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Woburn Chief of Police Robert Rufo, noted for their collaborative work in the investigation, have been transparent about the violent nature of the act, which occurred after Borgella had enjoyed a first date inside the restaurant.
The investigation further revealed that Jean-Francois, alongside Eric Mills, had positioned themselves in the parking lot in a black sedan, maintaining a purposeful vigil. After moving to a hotel parking lot with a clear view of the restaurant's exit, they made their approach as Borgella left the establishment. District Attorney Ryan emphasized the premeditated nature of the attack, stating, "Pauliasky Jean-Francois targeted Lloyd Borgella and waited for him to exit a restaurant where he had gone on a first date. When Mr. Borgella stepped outside, the defendant opened fire in the public parking lot of the busy restaurant," as noted by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. She denounced the increasing gun violence, asserting the need to hold perpetrators accountable.
After the violent assault, Jean-Francois crashed the getaway car into a tree and attempted to flee on foot. He was later apprehended by police while walking on Alfred Street in Woburn. Initially posing as a possible victim of a separate shooting, authorities, after reviewing surveillance footage, confirmed Jean-Francois as the shooter. Police discovered the crashed car key in his possession and located two semi-automatic pistols along the escape routes used by Jean-Francois and Mills. Chief Rufo, expressing gratitude, noted the invaluable assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney's office throughout the investigation.
Justice for Borgella's family will be decided upon Jean-Francois’ sentencing, slated for November 25. Meanwhile, Eric Mills faces his own reckoning with first-degree murder and related charges, with court proceedings scheduled for November 26. All involved, from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to the Woburn Police Department and the State Police, continue their work in pursuit of closure and justice for those affected by the loss of Lloyd Borgella.
