Taunton man denied parole after 17-year-old was beaten, stabbed 13 times, murdered

A Bristol County man has been denied parole after the violent murder of a teenager.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, “on June 25, 2010, in Taunton, 24-year-old Erving Cruz, along with his two co-defendants, beat and stabbed 17-year-old Tigan Hollingsworth to death.”

“Taunton police responded to Grampy’s Convenience Store for the report of a disturbance. The police met with a witness, who directed them to 148 Weir Street, where Tigan Hollingsworth was observed face down on the driveway with his forearms supporting his head. The officer immediately observed a large pool of blood on the ground to the right and to the left of the victim’s head. The victim had blood coming from his nose, his face, and his hands. The victim was mumbling, gasping for air, and stated, “I can’t breathe,” several times.

“An investigation determined that the victim and Etnid Lopez had an ongoing feud since they had been in middle school. A witness stated that a verbal argument began at Grampy’s Store, while the victim was with his father. The defendants Etnid Lopez, Erving Cruz, and Jean Carlos Lopez chased the victim; he was stabbed 13 times (once in his head, once in his right abdomen, and the remaining 11 stabbings in his back). The victim later died at the hospital after the assault. 

“On April 1, 2013, following a jury trial in Bristol Superior Court, Cruz was convicted of murder in the second-degree for the death of Hollingsworth. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The Board noted that Cruz “has been committed to educational pursuits, including his current enrollment in an associate’s degree program. Mr. Cruz’s last disciplinary report was in 2020 for homebrew. He has not completed CRA. Mr. Cruz stated at his hearing that he would like to complete his associate’s degree program, while understanding that it might delay his release on parole. He further noted that his parole plan would include continued education pursuits. The Board reviewed the evaluation of Dr. Bard. The Board notes Mr. Cruz’s educational pursuits and encourages him to complete his degree and establish a plan to maintain his sobriety long-term. The Board considered the opposition testimony of Bristol County ADA Karen O’Sullivan in rendering their decision.”

The Board concluded by unanimous decision that Erving Cruz has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.