New Bedford Man Sentenced In Manslaughter Case

A 28-year-old New Bedford man is sentenced to 2-and-a-half years in jail, with 18 months to serve, after pleading guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from a 2013 incident.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Luis Mojica was involved in a physical altercation in the Ash Street Jail in July of 2013 that led to the death of 59-year-old Egidio Batista.

Both men were placed in a holding cell of the jail after being picked up for separate domestic incidents throughout the day. Mojica and Batista got into an argument, shortly after being placed together, which led to Mojica shoving the victim.

Batista lost his footing and hit his head on the concrete floor. Although he underwent emergency surgery, Batista died the next morning.

Fall River Superior Court Judge Raymond Veary suspended the remaining balance of Mojica's sentence for three years, meaning if he commits a new crime he could be sent back to jail for a full term. The judge also ordered Mojica to complete anger management counseling and obtain his G-E-D.