A Chelsea man has been found guilty this morning of murdering 88-year-old Hilda Devincenzo in 2013, following a previous jury’s inability to secure a conviction.
Felix Melendez, 38, was convicted by a Suffolk Superior Court jury of first-degree murder in the death of his landlady, Devincenzo. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Kenneth Salinger is expected to impose the mandatory sentence for first-degree murder—life in prison without possibility of parole—during sentencing scheduled for Friday morning, Oct. 7.
Melendez’s initial trial last year resulted in a conviction for receiving stolen property over $250 related to Devincenzo’s belongings, but the jury could not reach agreement on the murder charge. An earlier mistrial this year occurred when jurors in a second trial similarly failed to unanimously decide the case.
“fblikebutton_button” Conley said. “We never lost hope that we would one day find justice for Ms. Devincenzo,” “Chelsea Police detectives, State Police investigators, Suffolk prosecutors, and victim advocates worked tirelessly to speak on her behalf, and we hope her loved ones take some satisfaction with this result.”
The Homicide Unit’s Assistant District Attorney Tara Burdman presented evidence showing that Devincenzo, who lived alone on the second floor of her three-family Washington Street home in Chelsea, had rented the third-floor apartment to Melendez beginning in June 2013. On July 3, Melendez mentioned to a first-floor tenant that he was doing electrical work for the victim and complained that she was driving him “crazy” with repeated repair requests.
That afternoon, the neighbor heard footsteps running, a scream he recognized as Devincenzo’s, followed by a loud bang from her apartment.
Chelsea firefighters arrived at the building on July 7 after a smoke smell was reported. While conducting a welfare check on Devincenzo as requested, they discovered her deceased in her apartment. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined through autopsy that she died from compression injuries to her neck and torso.
Investigation showed several items missing from Devincenzo’s bedroom, including her wedding and engagement rings. The wedding band was recovered at an Everett jewelry store where Melendez had sold it. Officers found Devincenzo’s engagement ring in Melendez’s apartment during a search warrant execution, and his fingerprint was discovered on a plastic bag in the victim’s bedroom.
Friday morning sentencing will take place in courtroom 817.