Fall River man sentenced to prison for killing former New Bedford girlfriend at city car wash

A Fall River man accused of killing his former girlfriend has been sentenced after avoiding a murder conviction.

According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III, Angelo Leo was indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury on August 31, 2023, on charges of Murder, Carrying an Illegal Firearm, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle and two counts of Violating an Abuse Prevention Order.

According to the clerk’s office, earlier this month, Leo was convicted by a jury of the lesser included offense of Manslaughter (c.265, sec.13).  He was also convicted of carrying a firearm, violation of a restraining order, and malicious destruction of a motor vehicle.

Court records show that on Monday, Leo was sentenced to not less than 28 years to not more than 35 years in prison with credit for 945 days served.

On May 29, 2023, Fall River Police responded to the Globe Car Wash on Broadway after receiving a 911 call at 12:36 p.m. regarding a potential shooting.

When first responders arrived on scene, they found the victim, 45-year-old Jessenia Simmons of New Bedford, already deceased in one of the car wash bays.

The defendant initially fled from the scene of the shooting in a vehicle but turned himself in to police in Tiverton, RI about a half-hour later.

Leo was accused of sending threatening text messages to Simmons before a confrontation in the bay of the car wash. Video surveillance allegedly showed the two in an altercation before Leo stabbed the victim. When she attempted to escape, she was allegedly shot by Leo.

Both Leo and Simmons had a previous romantic relationship according to friends and she had recently renewed a restraining order against Leo.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Gilian Kirsch and Russell Eonas.