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Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that a jury has convicted 23-year-old Darius Gamboa of first degree murder for the slaying of 31-year-old Julio Barbosa in New Bedford on July 6, 2012.
The jury in Fall River Superior Court deliberated for about nine hours over the course of two days before returning its verdict around 3:30 p.m. today. The defendant was also convicted of carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and two counts of intimidating a witness. Superior Court Judge Renee Dupuis sentenced Mr. Gamboa to life in prison with no possibility of parole.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dennis Collins and Robert Digiantomaso.
Mr. Gamboa, of Wareham, along with his father, Ryan Gamboa, 42, of New Bedford, are accused of shooting and killing Mr. Barbosa outside a 7-11 convenience store at the intersection of Rodney French Boulevard and Cove Road.
Ryan Gamboa, who is also charged with murder, will stand trial next week in Fall River Superior Court.
“I am very happy with a guilty verdict in another senseless homicide. I would like to thank the jury for their time and for rendering a fair verdict based on the evidence,” District Attorney Quinn said. “I would also like to give special thanks to Assistant District Attorneys Collins and Digiantomaso, New Bedford Police Detectives William Suave and William Westgate, along with State Trooper Eric Perez, for their efforts in this case.”
