Stoughton Man Found Guilty of 2010 Lincoln Street Murder

The following is from the Office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey:

The Stoughton man who shot thorough a bedroom window and killed 21-year-old Stephen Erving in his bed has been found guilty of murder, according to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

Michael W. Blanchard, age 24, fired several rounds from a 9 mm pistol through Erving’s first-floor bedroom window on Lincoln Street in Stoughton, at roughly 3:30 a.m. on March 16, 2010.

Blanchard and Erving were known to each other and had a history of conflict.

“Our thoughts and our thanks are with Stephen’s family and friends tonight,” District Attorney Morrissey said, after a Norfolk Superior Court jury had delivered a guilty verdict on second degree murder at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.

“This was a senseless attack. We thank them for their patience, assistance and testimony as this case came to trial.”

State Police detectives from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office and Stoughton Police investigated the homicide with the assistance of State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Ballistics Section and other specialized investigators.

Evidence quickly developed making Blanchard as a person of interest. He was arrested and arraigned the day of the murder.

“Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor and Victim/Witness Advocate Maureen Russell again showed dedication and professionalism in the prosecution of this case,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “Michael Blanchard is held accountable for this crime.”

The jury had heard closing arguments on Monday, Morrissey said.

On Wednesday, Blanchard was sentenced to life in prison for the murder charge, with a concurrent sentence of 2.5 years to 2.5 years-and-one-day in state prison for his conviction on carrying a firearm without a license in this attack, according to a press release from the DA's office.