Former Braintree Man Sentenced In 2017 Manslaughter Case

BOSTON, MA — A former Braintree man pleaded guilty to manslaughter and armed robbery charges in the 2017 death of a Dorchester man during a robbery at the man’s apartment, the Suffolk County District Attorney announced.

Thomas Isaac, 26, formerly of Braintree, was sentenced by Judge Mary Ames on Monday to 19-20 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and to time served on the armed robbery charge. Isaac has been held without bail since 2017.

According to a Patch report at the time, at about 2:51 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2017, officers and Boston EMS responded to a call for an unknown medical incident inside 330 Bowdoin St. At the scene, officers made entry and located a deceased adult male victim, identified as Nelson Torres-Santa, 55, of Dorchester.

A criminal investigation was launched after the death was later ruled a homicide. A week later, Isaac was identified as a suspect and taken into custody without incident.

Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins said that Isaac and his girlfriend entered the Bowdoin Street apartment building of Nelson Torres-Santa on Nov. 5, 2017.

Isaac’s girlfriend entered the apartment to by drugs from Torres-Santa, and Isaac then forced his way into the apartment, officials said.

He stabbed Torres-Santa in the eye, beat him with his fists and with an electric guitar, then, when Torres-Santa fell, stomped on his head and upper body, officials said. Isaac also stole various electronic equipment from the apartment.

At Monday’s plea hearing, Torres-Santa’s brother expressed gratitude to prosecutors and investigators and stated he holds no grudge against Isaac and that Isaac will have a chance to “do things right,” according to a press release.