Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that Trearra Hudgen (age 29), of Springfield, Massachusetts was sentenced yesterday before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to consecutive life sentences in prison, having been found guilty of first-degree murder, discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence resulting in death, first-degree robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license. Hudgen was found guilty by a jury of her peers on November 2, 2018, after a seven-day trial. The charges stem from a 2016 incident that claimed the life of Matthew Reverdes.
"Gun violence is a continuing epidemic here in Rhode Island and around the country, and today's sentencing makes plain that there are severe consequences for engaging in such conduct," said Attorney General Neronha. "No matter what issues or disagreements exist between individuals, gun violence is never the answer. It is my hope that Mr. Reverdes' family will find some measure of justice from today's sentencing, but of course nothing can bring Mr. Reverdes home to them."
Hudgen received life sentences at the ACI on three charges: first-degree murder, discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence resulting in death, and first-degree robbery. She will serve the life sentence for discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence resulting in death consecutively to the life sentence for the murder. The life sentence for the robbery will run concurrently with the other sentences. She also received a 10-year sentence on the conspiracy charge, to be served concurrently with the life sentences. Additionally, she received a 10-year suspended sentence, with probation, on the carrying a pistol without a license charge, that will run consecutively to her other sentences.
During the trial, the State proved that during the afternoon on October 31, 2016, Hudgen and co-defendant Julio Cano (age 35), of Pawtucket, entered the basement apartment at 54 Harrison Street, armed with firearms to confront Matthew Reverdes over a personal dispute. A physical confrontation ensued and Hudgens fired her .22 caliber Colt revolver, striking the defendant in the back. Bleeding, Reverdes fled the apartment and ran to a nearby Dunkin' Donuts, where he collapsed. After an employee of Dunkin' Donuts called 911, Reverdes was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was pronounced dead. After an extensive investigation, law enforcement apprehended Hudgen in Hartford, CT and Cano in Framingham, MA.
Pawtucket Police Detective David Silva led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorneys General David Bonzagni and Jessica Villella prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
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