Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Matthew Marcotte (age 23), of Rehoboth, MA, pleaded guilty today before Superior Court Justice William Carnes to one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit felony assault for the February 10, 2015 stabbing death of 53 year-old William McKenna.
Under the terms of the plea, Marcotte was sentenced to life in prison on the murder charge and 10 years, to run concurrent, on the conspiracy charge.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that at approximately 4:30 p.m. on February 10, 2015, Marcotte and co-conspirator Rolando Brooks (age 24), of Taunton, agreed to assault William McKenna outside a convenience store on Benefit Street in Pawtucket. After McKenna was knocked to the ground by Brooks, Marcotte fatally stabbed him in the neck, and fled the scene.
Marcotte was identified through surveillance images from the convenience store.
McKenna was transported to Pawtucket Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Marcotte was apprehended two days later in Seekonk, where he was found to be in possession of an illegal firearm. Brooks was apprehended a short time later in Central Falls.
Brooks pleaded guilty on April 27, 2016 to a charge of conspiracy to commit felony assault. He is awaiting sentencing.
Pawtucket Police Detective David Silva led the investigation. Deputy Attorney General Gerald Coyne and Special Assistant Attorney General Peter Roklan prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.