Medford Man Sentenced to Life For Murder of Stoneham Army Vet

WOBURN, MA—The second man on trial for the shooting death of a Stoneham resident and Army Ranger was sentenced to life in prison Thursday.

Jessie Williams, 26, of Medford was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Middlesex Superior Court Thursday on charges of first degree murder related to the shooting death of 27-year-old Joseph Puopolo in 2013. Eugene Tate, 21, of Malden was already convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in relation to the murder on Nov. 30.

“The defendant’s greed and disregard for human life caused the death of Joseph Puopolo,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with his family following today’s sentencing of the final defendant in this case. Although we have reached the end of the trial phase, their loss remains.”

Williams was also given a nine-to-10 year sentence on assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charges, as well as four to five years for carrying a firearm without a license.

Puopolo had been invited to a Micah’s Pond Way address in Stoneham where a drug deal was scheduled to occur. Upon arrival, both Williams and Tate drew handguns and demanded drugs and money before shooting Puopolo and another man.

Williams will serve all of his sentences concurrently.