Quincy Man Convicted Of Murder And Rape

QUINCY, MA — A Quincy Man on Monday was found guilty of murdering, raping, and strangling a 33-year-old woman.

Joseph Beatty, 61, who, was in a relationship with the victim, Mary Beaton, of Quincy, strangled Beaton to death in her second-floor apartment on Beach Street in August 2009, prosecutors said. The trial, which took almost 10 years, was repeatedly delayed by concerns over Beatty's compentency to stand trial, District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a press release.

"I hope that today’s verdict provides some small measure of comfort to the family and friends of Mary Beaton,” Morrissey said after the jury returned its verdict shortly after 2 p.m. “This was absolutely senseless and created such loss.”

Beatty was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated rape. The jury found Beatty guilty of first-degree murder on three different possible theories: Extreme atrocity, pre-meditation, and felony murder (committed in connection with the rape.) Formal sentencing is Tuesday at 9 a.m.

"It is fair to point out that the statutory sentence for first-degree murder in a circumstance like this is life in prison with no eligibility for parole,”Morrissey said.