Somerville Man Pleads Guilty To Killing, Dismembering Roommate

SOMERVILLE, MA – A Somerville man accused of murdering and dismembering his roommate has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. Anthony Canejo, 58, reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to manslaughter, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in violation of a restraining order, violating a restraining order and improper disposal of human remains in connection Tuesday, avoiding a life sentence.

Canejo was charged with beating and strangling 66-year-old Vincent Lalli in their Somerville apartment in January 2014. He then dismembered Lalli's body with a saw and dropped it behind Coakley Middle School in Norwood, prosecutors said.

A man walking his dog near the school around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2014 found several plastic bags containing human remains next to two suitcases with blood on them and a bloody towel, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said. They were identified as Lalli's through fingerprints.

Authorities said Lalli lived with Canejo and his son, 34-year-old Anthony Canejo Jr., on Sycamore Street in Somerville. Lalli had taken out a restraining order against the elder Canejo on Jan. 17, and a week later Canejo contacted his son asking if he could return to the apartment to pick up his belongings, according to the DA.

Canejo arrived at the apartment believing Lalli was asleep. Lalli confronted him, and a physical altercation between the men resulted in Lalli's death, the DA's office said. Canejo then dismembered Lalli in the bathtub, according to the DA.

Surveillance video showed both Canejos cashing Lalli's winning lottery tickets on the evenings of Jan. 24 and 25. On Jan. 26, the pair disposed of Lalli's remains in Norwood, and a second set of remains were found near train tracks behind Somerville High School a month later, the DA's office said.

Lalli's former wife called the crime an "unnecessary, horrific and brutal murder" at Canejo's sentencing, 7-News reported.

Canejo was sentenced to 18-20 years in prison and 10 years of probation upon his release. His son has been charged with being an accessory after the fact and two counts of receiving stolen property.

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