Coelho sentenced to prison for first degree murder of Fall River store owner

Nelson Coelho, the man charged in the murder of Fall River store owner Lal Kishor Mahaseth, was convicted of first-degree murder today in Fall River Superior Court.

According to Director of Communications for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office Gregg Miliote, Coelho was also convicted of committing an armed robbery at the 7Days Food Mart in Fall River the night before the murder. 

Evidence at trial showed the defendant used the money from the robbery to purchase crack cocaine with his friends.

Coelho was sentenced to life without parole and an additional 8 – 10 years for the additional counts.

According to information previously released, at 10:33 p.m. on October 18th, 2021, Fall River Police were called to the Stop N Save convenience store at 201 Rock Street. The 911 caller had entered the store at around 10:30 p.m. to purchase food and found Mahaseth on the floor behind the counter with blood on his chest.

When first responders arrived on scene, they transported the victim, later identified as Mahaseth, to Charlton Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 11:14 p.m.

Police arrested Coelho after finding him in a closet in the Pine Street apartment that he was reportedly squatting in.

Evidence presented during the trial proved the defendant laid in wait before entering the Stop N Save on Rock Street armed with a handgun.  The defendant shot the victim once in the chest before fleeing the scene. 

“I am very pleased the jury held the defendant accountable for this brutal and senseless murder.  The victim was just trying to make a living to support his family, who had come over from Nepal.  The facts of this case, once again, highlight the very damaging effects drug abuse has on our society,” District Attorney Quinn said. “I commend the family for their patience and dignity during the most difficult circumstances of hearing about and watching their father’s murder. I am sure the victim would be very proud of his children’s success, which I am sure is owed in large part to the example he set for them.  I want to thank the prosecution team for their efforts in this most serious case.”