- Jose H. Boulay 1948
Jose H. Boulay 1948
On September 24, 1948, Russell Boulay (16) arrived home to find his father Joseph Boulay (58) heavily intoxicated and engaged in a verbal argument with his wife, Katherine Boulay (1899-1985).
Russell asked the father to stop the arguing, he refused. Joseph made a threatening gesture towards his wife, Russell took possession of the shotgun and pulled the trigger, killing Joseph. Russell was arrested and charged with murder. Russell told authorities he was protecting his mother.
Verdict Russell Boulay
Due to Russell's age, no further information was made public.
On September 24, 1948, Russell Boulay (16) arrived home to find his father Joseph Boulay (58) heavily intoxicated and engaged in a verbal argument with his wife, Katherine Boulay (1899-1985).
Russell asked the father to stop the arguing, he refused. Joseph made a threatening gesture towards his wife, Russell took possession of the shotgun and pulled the trigger, killing Joseph. Russell was arrested and charged with murder. Russell told authorities he was protecting his mother.
Verdict Russell Boulay
Due to Russell's age, no further information was made public.
- Joseph H. Gifford 1977
Joseph H. Gifford 1977
On June 27, 1977, approximately 2AM Joseph H. Gifford (31) was beaten to death after an altercation at a public payphone. A neighbor witnessed the attack and testified in court as to what she witnessed.
She testified that she went to bed at about 2:00 A.M. and that about two or three minutes thereafter she heard yelling and then wood cracking. At this she jumped out of bed and looked out of the window, where she saw three men later, identified as Michael Doyle (25), Michael Marchand (19) and Jeffrey Paquette (20) striking Joseph with a crutch. Jeffrey struck Joseph over the head three (3) times resulting in Joseph dropping to the ground. Jeffrey then kicked Joseph, when the witness yelled, "Leave him alone."
Michael Marchand, carrying the crutch and Jeffrey after kicking Joseph several more times entered a vehicle and fled the scene.
The witness called Somerset Police and went to attend to the Joseph. Police arrived and found Joseph lying by the public payphone bleeding and pieces of a broken crutch by his side.
Due to the witness's description, the fleeing vehicle was stopped by Somerset Police. The individuals were returned to the scene and identified by the witness as the culprits. Joseph died on July 1, 1977, from his injuries.
Verdict 1978 Jeffrey Paquette Prison Sentence Completed - Released Deceased 2019
Jeffrey was convicted of Manslaughter and sentenced to ten (10) years in prison.
Verdict 1978 Michael Marchand Prison Sentence Completed - Released Deceased 2023
Michael was convicted of Manslaughter and sentenced to ten (10) years in prison.
Verdict 1978 Michael Doyle
Michael was convicted of Assault and Battery.
On June 27, 1977, approximately 2AM Joseph H. Gifford (31) was beaten to death after an altercation at a public payphone. A neighbor witnessed the attack and testified in court as to what she witnessed.
She testified that she went to bed at about 2:00 A.M. and that about two or three minutes thereafter she heard yelling and then wood cracking. At this she jumped out of bed and looked out of the window, where she saw three men later, identified as Michael Doyle (25), Michael Marchand (19) and Jeffrey Paquette (20) striking Joseph with a crutch. Jeffrey struck Joseph over the head three (3) times resulting in Joseph dropping to the ground. Jeffrey then kicked Joseph, when the witness yelled, "Leave him alone."
Michael Marchand, carrying the crutch and Jeffrey after kicking Joseph several more times entered a vehicle and fled the scene.
The witness called Somerset Police and went to attend to the Joseph. Police arrived and found Joseph lying by the public payphone bleeding and pieces of a broken crutch by his side.
Due to the witness's description, the fleeing vehicle was stopped by Somerset Police. The individuals were returned to the scene and identified by the witness as the culprits. Joseph died on July 1, 1977, from his injuries.
Verdict 1978 Jeffrey Paquette Prison Sentence Completed - Released Deceased 2019
Jeffrey was convicted of Manslaughter and sentenced to ten (10) years in prison.
Verdict 1978 Michael Marchand Prison Sentence Completed - Released Deceased 2023
Michael was convicted of Manslaughter and sentenced to ten (10) years in prison.
Verdict 1978 Michael Doyle
Michael was convicted of Assault and Battery.
- Helen (Azevedo) Bettencourt 1984
Helen (Azevedo) Bettencourt 1984
On September 23, 1984, approximately 7PM Helen (Azevedo) Bettencourt (21) was reported by her husband of 62 days, Arthur Bettencourt (26), deceased from a gunshot wound to the face. Somerset Police responded to 162 Prospect Street 2nd floor to begin the investigation.
Investigation
The shooting was ruled a suicide initially, based on the scene. Arthur claimed Helen had threatened to kill herself many times.
Somerset Police doubted the suicide determination, typically a woman wouldn't shoot herself in the face out of vanity. After a lengthy investigation, Arthur ultimately confessed to killing Helan and staging the crime scene to make it appear as a suicide.
18-24 months prior to marrying Arthur, Helen was involved in a relationship with a man who took provocative photos of her. At the time, the photos were meant to remain private.
Somehow these photos came into Arthur's possession prior to their marriage and kept them hidden. Arthur had lost trust in Helen and attempted to use the photos to blackmail Helen out of money during an argument before her murder.
Verdict Arthur Bettencourt
Arthur plead guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to 15-20 years in prison.
On September 23, 1984, approximately 7PM Helen (Azevedo) Bettencourt (21) was reported by her husband of 62 days, Arthur Bettencourt (26), deceased from a gunshot wound to the face. Somerset Police responded to 162 Prospect Street 2nd floor to begin the investigation.
Investigation
The shooting was ruled a suicide initially, based on the scene. Arthur claimed Helen had threatened to kill herself many times.
Somerset Police doubted the suicide determination, typically a woman wouldn't shoot herself in the face out of vanity. After a lengthy investigation, Arthur ultimately confessed to killing Helan and staging the crime scene to make it appear as a suicide.
18-24 months prior to marrying Arthur, Helen was involved in a relationship with a man who took provocative photos of her. At the time, the photos were meant to remain private.
Somehow these photos came into Arthur's possession prior to their marriage and kept them hidden. Arthur had lost trust in Helen and attempted to use the photos to blackmail Helen out of money during an argument before her murder.
Verdict Arthur Bettencourt
Arthur plead guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to 15-20 years in prison.
- Amber (Cowen) Pereira 2000
Amber (Cowen) Pereira 2020 Murder / Suicide
On June 27, 2020, at approximately 8:05 AM Somerset Police Department received 911 from a relative reporting the discovery of two (2) dead the individuals inside the home at 160 Thelma Avenue.
Police responded and located the victims identified as Amber Pereira (30) and Joshua Pereira (31). Investigation determined Joshua shot Amber to death, then took his own life.
On June 27, 2020, at approximately 8:05 AM Somerset Police Department received 911 from a relative reporting the discovery of two (2) dead the individuals inside the home at 160 Thelma Avenue.
Police responded and located the victims identified as Amber Pereira (30) and Joshua Pereira (31). Investigation determined Joshua shot Amber to death, then took his own life.