Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – A Brockton man has been sentenced to State Prison for his role in the death of a 64-year-old man, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
On October 29, 2019, after a 7-day trial, a jury deliberated six hours before finding Robert T. Curtis (DOB: 04/11/73) of Brockton guilty of one count each of Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault and Battery Upon an Elderly Person with a Disability. At his sentencing today, Brockton Superior Court Judge Angel Kelly sentenced Curtis to serve 5-8 years in State Prison to be followed by three years of Probation from and after. Judge Kelly also set conditions that after his release, Curtis must remain drug and alcohol free, submit to random drug screens, participate in substance abuse and mental health evaluations and get treatment when deemed necessary. Curtis must also submit to breathalyzer testing for two years, and be treated for anger management.
On December 26, 2017, Brockton Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a medical call at 42 Lawton Avenue in Brockton. Upon arrival, police discovered a male victim unresponsive. Lifesaving efforts were initiated and the victim was transported to Brockton Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 63 year-old Ralph V. Lawcewicz of Brockton.
Brockton Police contacted State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and an investigation commenced. One witness reported to police that an altercation occurred before Mr. Lawcewicz’s death. Investigators identified Curtis as the person who had the altercation with Mr. Lawcewicz prior to his death. Curtis turned himself into Brockton Police.
Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Sprague and Shanan Buckingham prosecuted the case, which was investigated by State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Brockton Police.
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