A Worcester man convicted of fatally shooting two brothers outside the former Diamond Inn in 2021 has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
Christopher Burns, 42, was sentenced Tuesday in Worcester Superior Court after a jury convicted him on June 9 of two counts of first-degree murder, according to a release from Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office.
The convictions stem from the Dec. 8, 2021, fatal shootings of Marcus A. Thibodeau, 27, and James M. Johnson, 35. The brothers were shot outside the former Diamond Inn on Grafton Street in Worcester.
Under Massachusetts law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burns was ordered to serve the two life sentences consecutively.
“While nothing can undo the pain suffered by Marcus and James’ loved ones, I hope today’s sentence provides them with a measure of justice,” Early said in the release.
Early also thanked the Worcester Police Department, Assistant District Attorneys Timothy Westerman and Michael Travers, and Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette for their work on the case.
The sentencing concludes a case that began with the killings nearly five years ago and ended with Burns’ conviction earlier this month.
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