Somerville Man Paroled For 22 year-old Murder

SOMERVILLE, MA — A man convicted of fatally stabbing someone more than 20 years ago has been released on parole, according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Parole Board.

According to the Board, Van Gustave was involved in the stabbing of multiple men during a Somerville fireworks event on July 1, 2004 on Albion Street. Gustave, who was 24 years old at the time, and Joseph Spinucci reportedly chased three unarmed males with knives they had brought with them to the event before stabbing all three.William Tighe, 19, Jules Stevens, 17, and Ryan Sullivan, 16, all suffered injuries from the incident. Sullivan later died from injuries after being hospitalized.

Gustave and Spinucci were arrested the next day. Gustave pleaded guilty to the charges of second-degree murder, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, and one count of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon in Middlesex Superior Court in January of 2007. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder charge. After being denied parole twice in 2019 and 2023, Gustave was granted supervised release on Tuesday, Jan. 13. based on a hearing this past July.

“Since his last appearance in 2023, he (Gusatve) has remained disciplinary report free. He has completed and additional six programs and has been a facilitator for Alternatives for Violence,” the Board said in its decision record. “The Board takes into consideration an inmate’s institutional behavior, their participation in available work, educational, and treatment programs during the period of incarceration… the board concludes that Van Gustave has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”

The Board also said that it heard from multiple members of Sullivan’s family, with arguments both for and against putting Gustave on parole.

Gusatave will be electronically monitored for six months, and will have a 10 p.m. nightly curfew as conditions to his parole.

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