Taunton Man Found Guilty Of Murder In Highway Shooting

A Fall River Superior Court jury has found a Taunton man guilty of first degree murder, in the May, 2009, Route 24 shooting of 29-year old Troy Pina, also of Taunton. 

27-year old Jose Fernandes was also found guilty of three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of armed assault with intent to murder, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. 

The jury deliberated a total of 14 hours over three days before returning the verdict.

Prosecutors said Fernandes fired shots from a moving vehicle that struck and killed Pina who was in another car.

Fernandes will be sentenced on Thursday, March 28 in Fall River. 

District Attorney Sam Sutter praised his prosecution team for their talent and hard work.  He said it was an extremely complex case that included 55 prosecution witnesses and 120 exhibits.

Sutter said he was pleased the Pina family received some measure of justice with the verdict.  Two other co-defendants are awaiting trial.