Man who stabbed New Bedford man approx. 26 times, killing him, granted parole with conditions

A man convicted of a brutal New Bedford murder has been granted parole with conditions.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, on January 31, 2007, in Bristol Superior Court, Paul Smith pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the stabbing death of Thomas Morgado. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. 

Parole was denied following an initial hearing in 2020. On March 19, 2024, Paul Smith appeared before the Parole Board for a review hearing. He was represented by student attorneys Giovana De Oliveira and Frank Obermeyor from the Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project under the supervision of Attorney John Fitzpatrick.

On May 13, 2002, in New Bedford, the 23-year-old Smith killed the 32-year-old Morgado by repeatedly stabbing him (approximately) 26 times in the chest, face, and throat with a machete knife in an alleyway. On the night of the governing offense, Smith was frequenting bars in New Bedford. When he encountered Morgado, Smith repeatedly stabbed him until a witness yelled, “What are you doing?” Smith then dropped the knife and fled the scene. The crime remained unsolved for nearly three years until April 2005, when Smith made statements of admission about the murder that were recorded and furnished to the police. On the recordings, Smith admitted to the murder and revealed details about the stabbing of Morgado that had not been made public. Police subsequently obtained a warrant to record Smith, and he again admitted that he stabbed Morgado to death. Smith was confronted with the recordings and confessed to the murder. 

This was Smith’s second appearance before the Board.

In his first hearing, on March 3, 2020, Smith apologized to the victim and the victim’s family for his “horrific act.” In addition, Smith apologized to his own family, as well as the New Bedford community, by stating, “My heinous crime brought fear that lingered for years.” He also apologized for contributing to “social woes.” 

Smith expressed remorse for his crime, telling the Board that he took full responsibility for his “selfish, criminal behavior.” He indicated that he is no longer the same man that “viciously stabbed” Morgado and claimed that he is now able to make “positive changes out of his negative past.” 

Upon questioning by the Board, Smith explained that he was a “deeply troubled” man, prior to the murder of Morgado, and often experienced a feeling of “pure hatred” towards the world. Smith indicated that he, along with his mother and brothers, were victims of abuse by his former stepfather. He also explained that, due to the abuse, his mother became a substance abuser and abandoned the family, which forced him to provide for his younger siblings. As such, Smith and his siblings were sent to foster care and separated from one another. He told the Board that he turned into a “shell of a person.” He could not express his emotions and carried around the burden of the separation of his family. Until the time of the governing offense, Smith indicated that he spent most of his time “running in the streets and committing crimes.” Smith stated that the stabbing of Morgado resulted from him not dealing with childhood trauma. 

Smith stated that he has learned coping skills from programs, such as the Correctional Recovery Academy (“CRA”) and the Alternatives to Violence Program (“AVP”), along with insight he gained from other inmates. Smith said that he no longer harbored anger about his past and stated, “If I let go of my past, I can change my future.” When asked for an example as to how he demonstrates anger management, Smith explained that the negative environment in which he resides forces him to use his new skills every day. When the Board questioned him as to the governing offense, Smith indicated that, at the time, he had a reputation of being dangerous and often contributed to this reputation by bragging about his criminal behavior. He admitted that he would lie or exaggerate to his friends about his crimes in order to build “street cred” and, further, took pride in being feared in the streets. 

Prior to the murder, Smith was having issues with a man named Furtado, who was allegedly spreading false rumors about his daughter. Smith admitted to harboring rage toward Furtado and told the Board that, at the time, he was having thoughts of stabbing someone and would wonder what it would be like. When asked why Furtado was not the target for his crime, Smith stated that Morgado was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and “it just happened.” He had never met Morgado prior to that evening. Smith told the Board that he “stabbed [Morgado] 26 times and tried to slice his throat.” Although he thought that stabbing Morgado would take away some of his pain, Smith indicated that he did not receive any gratification from his crime and felt remorse when he was arrested. Smith claimed that he is now able to empathize with Morgado and stated, “Everyday, I think about how scared he must have been.”

Since the first hearing, Smith has completed nine additional programs, gained his HiSET, and has maintained sobriety for over 10 years. The Board stated that Smith was forthcoming in the hearing and has addressed the root causes of the offense. Smith identified a history of adverse childhood experiences and system-involvement. He aged out of DCF at the age of 17 without any continuum of care. Smith has invested in self- development, gained employment skills, and displayed a pattern of consistent growth and maturity. Smith also invested in Restorative Justice work since his last hearing, which enhanced his insight into the harm he has caused. Smith requested a gradual step-down to minimum security and then release to a residential program to assist with a positive re-entry. The Board considered public testimony from Smith’s brother, who spoke in support of his parole. The Board also considered the testimony of Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Russ Eonas, who spoke in opposition to his parole; however, ADA Eonas also acknowledged the progress Smith has made. The Board concluded by unanimous decision that Smith has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.

Special condition on Smith’s parole include: Parole is granted to a Long-Term Residential Program or CRJ Program upon completion of one year in lower security; Waive work for Long Term Residential Program or two weeks for CRJ program; Curfew must be home between 10 PM and 6 AM at Parole Officer’s discretion; Electronic monitoring at Parole Officer’s discretion; Supervise for drugs – testing in accordance with Agency policy; Supervise for liquor – testing in accordance with Agency policy; Report to assigned MA Parole Office on day of release; No contact with victim’s family; Must have substance abuse evaluation and must comply with recommended treatment plan; Counseling for transition, adjustment, and trauma; Long Term Program or CRJ Program.