News

Jury deliberates in trial of murdered South Boston doctors

BOSTON — The fate of the man accused of killing two South Boston doctors inside their penthouse condo is now in the hands of the jury, who began deliberating Monday afternoon.

The closing arguments were dramatic and emotional. Family and friends of the victims reacted several times, including some walking out during the defense closings.

Both sides gave two different accounts of what happened.

"He did kill Richard Field, but he killed him in self-defense and that's not murder," defense attorney Steven Sack said.

His closing arguments focused on the statement the suspect gave police the day after the murders, saying he was having an affair with Dr. Lina Bolanos and Dr. Richard Field became enraged when he came home.

The accused, Bampumim Teixeira, says Field killed Bolanos and that's when Teixeira stabbed Field. Prosecutors say Teixeira's story is in the theater of absurd.

"He wants you to remember him not as a successful doctor and businessman, but as a murderer and abuser and a beater of women," Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney John Pappas said.

District Attorney Rachael Rollins sat in on the closings.

The statements became emotional for family and friends of the victims, especially when the 911 call was played again and Bolanos can be heard faintly trying to talk.

Both sides thanked the jury for their attention during the nine days of testimony over the past few weeks, asking them to look closely at the evidence.