Michael Lewis, 65, of South Boston, has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in connection with cold case homicides from 1984 and 1993. According to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced the resolution of the long-standing cases.
At a Suffolk Superior Court hearing, Judge Mary Ames sentenced Lewis to 15 years in prison for each case, to be served concurrently. Family members of both victims attended the proceedings in person or via Zoom and delivered victim impact statements.
The first case dates back to 1984, when Lewis, involved in the South Boston drug trade, shot and killed Brian Watson after luring him into a vehicle under false pretenses. Watson’s body was later found in Manchester, New Hampshire, and identified through dental records.
In the second case, Lewis admitted to killing his supervisor, William Villani, at the Boston Housing Authority Pest Control Unit in 1993. Villani was found in his office with fatal gunshot and stab wounds. The incident stemmed from a workplace dispute.
District Attorney Hayden stated that the plea brings long-awaited answers to the families of both victims.
