Brazilian citizen living in Massachusetts sentenced to prison for murdering girlfriend after he attempted suicide

A man residing in Stoughton was sentenced to life in prison for killing his girlfriend at their apartment in 2019, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said today.

Ilton Rodrigues, 55, was sentenced by Judge Michael Doolin after pleading guilty to second-degree murder Monday in Norfolk Superior Court, District Attorney Morrissey said.

During a plea hearing in court, Rodrigues admitted to stabbing his girlfriend, 43-year-old Telma SaBras, multiple times in their apartment on May 3, 2019, before stabbing himself in a suicide attempt.

Rodrigues also plead guilty to two different counts of assault and battery and threatening other family members in the months and years prior to the homicide.

The couple resided together in the home with their two children, a high-school age daughter and an elementary school age son. Both children were home at the time of the altercation.

The call to police came from a relative outside of the apartment who had been contacted by the couples’ older child, who heard the disturbance and reached out for help.

“This was a tragedy for the family,” Morrissey said. “We hope the disposition today will allow the children to heal from this traumatic episode.”

The defendant received concurrent jail sentences for the assault and threats charges which he has already served.

According to Boston 25 News, Rodrigues is a citizen of Brazil and ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against him.

Morrissey praised Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Blair and Michael McGee, who prosecuted the case, and Victim-Witness Advocate Erika Connolly, who guided the family through the court process.

Morrissey also praised the Stoughton Police and the Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office for their investigation into the homicide.