The Mass. Supreme Judicial Court has upheld the first degree murder convictions of a 66 year old New Bedford man.

Elvin Valentin was found guilty in 2012 of the fatal shootings of 36 year old Nettie Becht and her friend, 40 year old Luiz Diaz in August, 2009 at the Westlawn Housing Development.

Valentin's attorneys claimed their client was prejudiced when the trial judge, Thomas McGuire Jr., allowed prosecutors to mention other weapons owned by Valentin, even though they were not used in the shootings.

The SJC ruled recently that weapons info should not have been admitted as evidence, but that did not prejudice the case.

Valentin is serving life in prison with no chance of parole.

This story was first reported by the Standard Times.

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