Life Sentence In Worcester Murder From 1999

WORCESTER, MA — A former Worcester man may spend the rest of his life in state prison for shooting and killing another man outside a city bar more than 20 years ago, according to prosecutors.

Edwin Novas was found guilty last week of second-degree murder and other charges in connection to a shooting that took place on Christmas Eve 1999 outside the former Tropigala club in Main South. Novas shot two people that night, leading to the death Danny Nicasio. The second victim was wounded in the arm.

Novas, who had moved to Worcester from New York City, fled to the Dominican Republic after the Tropigala shooting. He was brought back to Massachusetts in 2017.

Worcester County Superior Court Judge David Ricciardone sentenced Novas to life in prison for Nicasio's murder, and between eight and 12 years for assaulting the other victim. Those sentences will run back to back, so Novas won't be eligible for parole for up to 23 years.

Novas was also sentenced to up to five years each on three charges related to illegal weapons and ammunition possession.

Members of Nicasio's family were present at Thursday's sentencing. His daughter, Tamra Nicasio, told the court her family may have peace with Novas headed to prison.

"A grieving person will love again, smile again and yes they are going to move forward, but it doesn’t mean they have moved on," she said. "It’s time for myself, my family and my father to finally have peace."

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Tamra Nicasio as Danny Nicasio's mother.