Massachusetts man sentenced to prison for murdering roommate by samurai sword

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Chief of Police Glenn Cronin have announced that Joshua Roush, 46, of Malden, has been convicted of the 2021 murder of Brian McDonald, 34, of Malden. Following a seven-day trial in Middlesex Superior Court, Roush was found guilty of first-degree murder. Judge Cathleen Campbell sentenced Roush to life in state prison without eligibility for parole.

On August 15, 2021, Malden Police responded to a report of a man bleeding after a possible fight on Presley Street. Upon arrival, police located the victim, Brian McDonald, lying on the sidewalk with obvious and severe injuries. McDonald was pronounced dead on scene.

Neighbors indicated to police that they had heard yelling and banging coming from inside the apartment before observing the victim crawl out of the apartment to the porch, bleeding from his injuries. When police entered the residence, after lengthy negotiations with the Roush, they observed blood spatter in multiple rooms and a samurai sword with blood on it.  Police saw blood on Roush’s hands, clothes and shoes.

 Brian McDonald and Joshua Roush, who were roommates, had gotten into a loud verbal argument inside of their apartment. That argument became violent when Roush began attacking McDonald with a samurai sword. McDonald attempted to escape the apartment during the attack and was able to make his way down his front steps to the sidewalk, where he died from his injuries.

This case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Malden Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Megan McGovern and Ryan Rall. The Victim Witness Advocate was Susie Marshall.