Man Convicted in New Bedford Murder

NEW BEDFORD — A man has been convicted of murder in a fatal 2017 New Bedford stabbing — and according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, after the killing, he handed out cocaine to witnesses and told them to keep their mouths shut.

David Antonetty Almestica, 25, was convicted last week by a jury of his peers of second degree murder in the fatal 2017 stabbing of Angel Camacho after a two-week long trial in Fall River Superior Court, the D.A.'s office stated.

He was also convicted of witness intimidation and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

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At around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2017, Antonetty Almestica met up with Camacho in a second-floor apartment at 45 Tallman St. to sell him cocaine.

The victim was not happy with the price, according to the D.A.'s office.

After Camacho expressed his displeasure, the defendant stabbed him three times: once in the chest, once in the leg, and once with a slashing motion in the abdomen.

The stab wound to the chest pierced his heart.

Antonetty Almestica then threw Camacho down the stairs to the first floor — and when the victim crawled outside to a street corner, the defendant followed him.

The D.A.'s office stated that Antonetty Almestica struck the collapsed victim with a blunt object and kicked him — in front of parents putting their kids on the school bus.

According to the office, the defendant then handed out cocaine to the witnesses and told them to shut their mouths, and that they didn't see anything.

He fled to Springfield, where he was arrested that same evening on a fugitive warrant.

After his conviction last week, Antonetty Almestica was ordered held until his sentencing, set for April 22.

“I am very pleased the jury convicted the defendant of this senseless murder," said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

"The senseless acts of violence committed by the defendant included chasing the victim outside and beating him in the street in broad daylight."